As the debate around temporary crisis shelters in Halifax continues, many councillors and members of the public alike have forgotten that real people live in these tiny “sheds” situated in public parks. “These shelters and tents are not safe or appropriate housing,” said one councillor in a letter to the province on Wednesday. “They have […]
Victoria Walton
Victoria was a full-time reporter with The Coast from April 2020 until mid-2022, when the CBC lured her away. During her Coast tenure, she covering everything from COVID-19 to small business to politics and social justice. Originally from the Annapolis Valley, she graduated from the University of King’s College School of Journalism in 2017.
Posted inNews + Opinion
What the vaccine plateau means for Phase 4 opening
Nova Scotia, so far, has moved through its COVID reopening phases with little problem. We’ve passed each test with flying colours, outperforming our own expectations for vaccination levels and infection counts, and started each of the first three phases on the best-case schedule. But with Phase 4 expected to begin in the province as early […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
HRM vows to remove temporary shelters without warning after July 13
On Tuesday, Halifax Regional Municipality released a statement that confirmed it will do what it’s been threatening for weeks—remove temporary shelters located on municipal property. “A deadline date of July 13, 2021 has been given to remove the shelters–failing which, the shelters, and any personal items contained within the shelters, will be removed by the […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
16 rules for Phase 3 of Nova Scotia’s reopening plan
We’ve made it to the third phase of Nova Scotia’s reopening, with over 72 percent of people having at least their first dose, and a rapidly climbing number (currently sitting at about 20 percent) of people with second doses. Compare Phase 3 below with Phase 2, listed here. Here’s what’s allowed—from social gathering to shopping, […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
The long path to Peace and Friendship Park
When Rebecca Cope was in middle school, she attended Cornwallis Junior High along with her sisters. As a Mi’kmaq woman whose grandmother survived Shubenacadie Residential School, Cope knew even back then how disrespectful the name was. “Were the only Mi’kmaq students at that school the whole time we attended it,” she says. “We were very […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Venus Envy feels the love from Halifax for new shop
In what owner Marshall Haywood calls a “proud Halifax tradition,” downtown sex-education store Venus Envy is getting renovicted from its current location. The Tramway Building on Barrington Street, home to Venus Envy since 1999, is being renovated, and even though it will remain commercial on the ground floor, Haywood feels squeezed. “The plan for the […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Border blockade politician takes her bias on the road
On Tuesday, after premier Iain Rankin announced modified quarantine measures for New Brunswick travellers, a Cumberland County MLA reacted in her own way. “He has until 4 o’clock today to change these latest restrictions on the NS or the residents of Cumberland are shutting down the TransCanada highway until the Nova Scotia New Brunswick border […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Bring Greek Fest home this weekend
For the second year in a row, Halifax’s Greek Fest is take-out only. Instead of a lively celebration of Greek culture, community and cuisine, COVID-19 gathering limits mean the festival will be selling food for locals to enjoy on their own this weekend, Friday, June 25 through Sunday, June 27. “Alas. No in-person events. […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
How Nova Scotia is a trailblazer for free, accessible COVID testing
When Nova Scotians tell friends and family in other parts of the world about their COVID tests, they’re often met with confusion. “Were you exposed?” “Are you sick?” “Is everything OK?” In jurisdictions like Ontario, where a COVID test can go for $40 at the local pharmacy, many people have never gotten a swab at […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
How New Brunswick’s rush to reopen puts the Atlantic bubble at risk
The way Nova Scotia’s reopening plan looks right now, June 23 will bring back what is almost an Atlantic bubble, but not quite. On that date, the province will allow travel to and from New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador without quarantining (Prince Edward Island is already allowed). “June 23 is fast approaching, but that’s […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Halifax repainting BLM mural without community involvement
Last summer, in the wake of George Floyd’s violent and public murder by a Minneapolis police officer (and the pent-up anger from many, many similar events over the years) Black Lives Matter became a continent-wide movement. Here in Halifax, after rallies held on Spring Garden Road, in front of the police station and elsewhere, city […]
Posted inFood + Drink
Field Guide owners to open new, “grown up” restaurant
When Field Guide opened on Gottingen Street eight years ago, Ceilidh Sutherland was new to the game. Now, she and business partner Katie Tower are old pros, and planning to open a second restaurant later this year. “Obviously it being a pandemic is touch and go, but we know that ideally it won’t be a […]
