The union representing Halifax’s bus and ferry workers says contract negotiations with city hall have stalled. Local 508 president Ken Wilson announced Wednesday that the Amalgamated Transit Union is filing for conciliation as it continues bargaining for a new contract with HRM. “We’ve met over 24 times in the last 20 months,” says Wilson. “My side, […]
Jacob Boon
Posted inNews + Opinion
Smiling Goat ordered to pay nearly $1,000 in wages owed to ex-employee
As Smiling Goat employees continue fighting for unpaid wages, at least one former cafe worker is finally getting the money they’re owed. Nova Scotia’s Labour Standards board has issued a ruling ordering Smiling Goat owner Kit Singh to pay nearly $1,000 in unpaid wages owed to just one of his former employees. Hebron Hospitality Group, conducting […]
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City Council Report Card 2018
There’s a renaissance of buffoonery at City Hall. Whatever goodwill towards fellow councillors existed two years ago, when this self-righteous clique was elected, seems to deteriorate daily. There are spiteful remarks and passive aggressive attacks, on social media and in front of TV cameras. Some turn the other cheek. More than a few dig in […]
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UPDATED: Labi Kousoulis refuses to meet with student activists on sexual violence
Kousoulis’ sent a response to the CFS letter just before end of business Monday afternoon. The relevant section is now quoted below. The Canadian Federation of Students says the Department of Labour and Advanced Education is attempting to “silence students and survivors” because of an opinion piece first published in The Coast. In an open […]
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Unionize the service industry
The exploitation of service industry workers isn’t an abnormality. As recent coverage demonstrates, it’s depressingly common, even expected, of young women needing employment. So what’s to be done about it? Restaurant and cafe employees looking for protection from sexual harassment currently only have three options available to them: Rely on company-created HR policies, file a […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Council trades Willow Tree height for (some) affordable housing
Halifax council has decided 10 affordable housing units are worth more than 36. On Tuesday, councillors approved a motion moving forward with a 25-storey height for the proposed Willow Tree tower at the corner of Quinpool Road and Robie Street in exchange for some below-market rents and other public benefits. Previously on Willow Tree, a […]
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Field Guide employee leaves over sexual assault accusation
The local restaurant industry continues to reckon with the sexual misconduct of its employees. Field Guide on Gottingen Street has parted ways with an employee over an allegation of sexual assault that was originally brought to the attention of the restaurant’s owners back in December. Co-owners Ceilidh Sutherland and Dan Vorstermans posted a public statement Monday […]
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Councillor tries again for code of conduct review
After censuring one of its members for retweeting a white supremacist group and leaking confidential information, Tony Mancini is politely suggesting Halifax council take another look at this whole code of conduct thing. The Harbourview–Burnside–Dartmouth East councillor is asking for a staff report at council’s meeting next week looking for recommendations on improving his colleagues’ […]
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After allegations of sexual misconduct, Two If By Sea parts ways with co-owner
“Zane was not moving through the world respecting other people,” says Dean Petty about his former business partner. Zane Kelsall, one of the city’s most celebrated young entrepreneurs and a Dartmouth success story who’s been profiled in local and national media (including The Coast) is now without a job. Two If By Sea Cafe and […]
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Province dreams up virtual reality hub
What with actual reality being incomprehensibly horrific, the province would like to give this virtual reality thing a try. Nova Scotia Business Inc. issued a request for proposals this week looking to create a new incubator for the “virtual, augmented and mixed reality” tech scene. The RFP isn’t for the creation of a facility itself, but […]
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Funeral director loses license after cremating wrong body
Update: In a bit of art imitating life, we confused two people in this article. Serenity’s owner is Anthony Facey and its director is David Farmer. Farmer had his license revoked, but Facey was not disciplined in the board’s decision. The cope below has been changed to reflect this. The <strike>owner</strike> director of a Berwick […]
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Federal Court to decide on Abdoul Abdi’s future
Canada’s Federal Court will hear the case of a former ward of the province facing deportation to Somalia. Abdoul Abdi’s fate was to be decided on Wednesday by the Immigration and Refugee Review Board. But news of the federal hearing later this May caused the IRB to put a pause on its own proceedings. The […]