Last summer, René Boudreau told The Coast why she started Elevate and Explore Black Nova Scotia, a business all about promoting experiences for Black Nova Scotians through travel. Since then, she tells us now, it’s only grown. “There’s gaps in terms of the representation and cultural awareness that yes—there are Black people in Nova Scotia […]
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Black women entrepreneurs are sharing their stories through this 28-day series
It was the middle of the night around 1am when Tia Upshaw came up with a new idea to help showcase local Black women entrepreneurs. As the founder and president of the Blk Women in Excellence mentorship program, Upshaw has always valued educating, uplifting and creating platforms for Black women—and that’s exactly what she’s aiming […]
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Protest blockades are illegal in Nova Scotia
Last Sunday, Nova Scotia saw its very own version of the Freedom Convoy to Ottawa, as those who are against continuing vaccine mandates, isolation requirements and gathering limits gathered to air their displeasure—loudly. According to Halifax Regional Police, over 1000 vehicles made their way through the downtown core (but there are no numbers on how […]
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What’s the best way to help the houseless—shelter now or housing later?
Friday is a storm day in Halifax. The buses have stopped running. Schools are shuttered. Coffee shops have locked their doors and even Halifax Central Library is closed. In an early morning press release, HRM directs unhoused people to the Hfx Warming Centre. The warming centre’s entrance to it isn’t particularly easy to find. The […]
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Former Dartmouth Travelodge to be transformed into supportive housing
Late last week, three levels of government came together for a Zoom announcement that will see a former Dartmouth hotel turned into 65 supportive housing units. “I don’t want to be the mayor of the city where people don’t have a place to live,” said HRM mayor Mike Savage, who spoke during the Thursday call […]
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Downtown Dartmouth parking lot to be transformed into affordable housing
On Tuesday, Develop Nova Scotia announced an affordable housing development for downtown Dartmouth. Currently a parking lot with enviable waterfront views, the property on Alderney Drive between Prince and King Streets will soon be a mixed-use building, likely towering over nearby buildings. “That parking lot doesn’t really serve much of a use to anybody,” downtown […]
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First modular move-in “was really great and very chaotic”
Despite bone-chilling wind and the temperature sitting around -16 degrees, a recent Sunday was warm and happy for the Out of the Cold housing association. The long-awaited day had finally arrived when a group of unhoused people got to move out of the Gray Arena, which was being used as a makeshift shelter since early […]
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What defunding the police means in Halifax
On Monday, January 17 the final report from the defining defunding the police subcommittee of the Halifax Board of Police Commissioners was presented at the commissioners’ virtual meeting. The 218-page report is the culmination of months of work by committee members El Jones, Tari Ajadi, Julia Rodgers, Harry Critchley and others. “The report is the […]
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No respite from COVID at Halifax shelters
The Dartmouth modular housing units have finally finished construction, according to the city. “The municipality expects installation for the majority of modular units (providing access to 24 of the total 26 spaces) at the Dartmouth site, located on Alderney Drive near Church Street to be completed tomorrow,” said an HRM statement issued Monday, January 10. […]
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Housing crisis update: what you missed over the holidays
Modular units are here, but still so far away Despite the city’s promise back in October to provide dozens of modular housing units “before the snow flies,” the Dartmouth modulars are still not inhabited. But if you walk or drive by the corner of Alderney Drive and Flotilla Lane, you’ll see the narrow, grey-sided buildings […]
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Halifax announces lineup for virtual NYE concert
Haligonians and Dartmouthians will be ringing in New Year’s Eve virtually this year thanks to the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and rising cases of the Omicron variant in Nova Scotia. On Wednesday, HRM staff released the lineup of local musicians that will appear in this year’s celebration, which will be broadcast on the […]
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Nova Scotia students will return to classrooms January 10
Nova Scotian students are headed back to school in person this January, but a week later than planned. Students will return to school Jan 10. “The strong commitment of Nova Scotians to follow public health guidelines and look out for each other has allowed us to keep our students in school, and experts agree the […]