Editor’s note: During the budget process, each of the HRM’s business units (libraries, police, transit, etc.) will present their budgets and will (likely) ask for more money. When council approves each of these individual department budgets, they are only approved in principle pending the final vote on the budget as a whole. Unless otherwise stated, […]
Matt Stickland
Matt spent 10 years in the Navy where he deployed to Libya with HMCS Charlottetown and then became a submariner until ‘retiring’ in 2018. In 2019 he completed his Bachelor of Journalism from the University of King’s College. Matt is an almost award winning opinion writer.
Posted inNews + Opinion
How a simple poll about snow explains atrocities
In this week’s Coast reader poll, we asked about the weather. Specifically snow, and the lack thereof. Given that “Halifax has been very warm so far this winter and meteorologists say the city is on track to have its least snowy year ever,” we put the question to you: “Are you happy there’s less snow […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Everything you need to know about HRM council’s Jan. 10, 2023 meeting
The property tax people gave a presentation to council on Tuesday. Lloyd MacLeod, director of assessment with the Property Valuation Services Corporation, explained to HRM councillors that PVSC values homes lower than most people expect because the valuations lag a bit. People’s property values have gone up, as has been reported in the media. MacLeod […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Health care is the most pressing issue of 2023 (for real)
In last week’s Coast poll, we asked our readers “What major issue do you most want to see our politicians address in 2023?” Overwhelmingly—with 43% of all votes cast—you responded that health care was the most pressing concern, above the housing crisis (39%), climate action (13%) or food security (5%). And this was before we […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
No adequate measure of police performance in the HRM
On Dec. 22, 2022, The Coast published a very deep dive into the role police play in society. That is, the role they are expected to play vs. the role they actually play in comparison to how much we, the taxpayers, are paying for policing services. One of the things The Coast tried to find […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
HRM councillor Pam Lovelace sent a cease-and-desist to her constituents
The letterboard underneath Beacon Electric and Whirlpool Corporation’s company signs on Hammonds Plains Road used to read: “Been here since 1988 now have worse councillor so far.” Until last week. On Dec. 29, Halifax city councillor Pam Lovelace posted to Facebook that she had taken legal action against Beacon Electric and Whirlpool for libel because […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
What is the point of the police?
In last Wednesday’s Board of Police Commissioners meeting, the Halifax Regional Police asked for more money. In a year where council is asking every city department to make cuts, the HRP has decided it needs more money. Police chief Dan Kinsella is asking the board for $95.264 million in the next budget year, which is […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Everything you need to know about council’s Dec 13 meeting
The city has a new chief administrative officer! Cathie O’Toole will take over for Jaques Dubé in the new year. She has been with Halifax Water for the past 10 years in a director role, but previously served the city’s finance director 10 years ago. Her time with the HRM ended due to the now […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
How Sobeys and Superstore legally steal from small businesses
The sun is streaming in through a large bay window in front of the house. The phone sits on the table, its cracked screen protector throwing weird reflections on the wall. The phone is on speaker with a recorder set up by the mic. “Do you mind if I record this conversation?” I ask. The […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
The suburbs are a Ponzi scheme
The city’s budget pre-season is done. Friday’s budget committee meeting of Halifax regional council brought the preparations for next year’s budget to an end, with council giving chief financial officer Jerry Blackwood and chief administrative officer Jaques Dubé their marching orders. The senior staffers will come back in a few weeks with information, suggestions and […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Macdonald Bridge bike flyover funding extended
Last week, the beleaguered Macdonald Bridge bikeway flyover got some bad press. With construction delays and cost overruns, the city was going to be on the hook for the full $12.7 million price tag of the new estimate—but that’s now expected to be just $2.1 million. In 2017 when the project was first announced, the […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Taxi licencing could get cheaper in Halifax
The new transportation standing committee met today. Committee members rotate around every two years, and the new chair is the same as the old chair, councillor Waye Mason. Vice-chair is councillor Pam Lovelace. They chair a committee that includes the returning Tim Outhit and committee rookies Shawn Cleary and Trish Purdy. Tony Mancini, Iona Stoddard […]