The city of Halifax takes fiscal responsibility seriously, but only when it wants to punish people for doing the right thing. This is why bus fares are going up 9.1% to $3 as of September 1, 2024. For those who may need the refresher, this 25-cent fare increase has been in the works since last […]
News
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Making the case for more red tape
It’s no secret that Canadian governmental bureaucracies are mind-numbingly complex. It’s one of the big reasons that politicians are having a lot of success taking political potshots at all three levels of Canadian public service. The Conservative Party of Canada has put out press releases saying that it will build homes by cutting bureaucracy. Provincial […]
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Farmers’ Markets of NS director says “a full spectrum approach” is needed for buy local program
Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia director Justin Cantafio is excited by the recently introduced Nova Scotia Loyal, but that excitement is limited by the current scope of the buy local program. Announced last month by the province, the Nova Scotia Loyal program will see Sobeys customers receive extra Scene points for one week a […]
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Point Pleasant Park still an option for homeless encampments
Correction: Although two members of council are running for mayor in the October 19, 2024 election, the following story as originally published only mentioned the candidacy of one of them. That lack of full context has been fixed, and we sincerely apologize for the oversight. (August 8) Councillor Pam Lovelace proposed a motion during Tuesday’s […]
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Halifax to host the next Canada Pride festival
The Halifax Pride Society has been announced as the hosts of Canada Pride for 2027. Every two or four years, a pride organization from across the country is chosen to host Canada Pride, awarded by Fierté Canada Pride. The announcement came during the recent Canada Pride event in Vancouver, which took place from Aug. […]
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Final report on Nova Scotia Loyal program reveals current model was untested
While some cheer for the opportunity to earn more Scene points and Air Miles, others remain confused about the Nova Scotia Loyal program. Announced on Tuesday, July 23 at the Fundy Trail Sobeys in Truro, the Nova Scotia Loyal program seeks to supply national grocery chain Sobeys and the provincial liquor corporation with the […]
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Nova Scotia’s wine future is safe—for now
It’s never a great look when the provincial government decides to release the amount of money it spent on an initiative—that it presumably thought was a decent idea to begin with—because the figure “was going to come out in public accounts anyway.” But that’s exactly what finance minister Allan MacMaster did when he announced earlier […]
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Entrepreneurship not a decision, but a necessity for many in trans community
When it comes to all things financial planning, Laura Whiteland, CFP, CIM knows what she’s doing. Right off, you can tell by all the letters after her name. She has worked as an investment advisor and portfolio manager, with securities licensing including derivatives and options—which is some of the highest certification you can attain in […]
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Councillor Cleary backstops HRM’s failed strategic plans
Thanks to Liberal member of Parliament Andy Fillmore talking to some of his constituents about municipal politics, the Transportation Standing Committee started with a lot of public speakers talking about the city’s ongoing water main replacement around Coburg Road. Part of this work includes building a mixed-use pathway on Coburg Road because it will save […]
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‘Pride belongs to us’: Pro-Palestine protest organizer speaks on parade demonstration
Since the Halifax Pride Parade on June 20, news outlets have reported that a group of pro-Palestine protesters demonstrated during the event. While some call this a hijacking of a day meant to celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, others see it as standing in solidarity with people who, like many in the queer community, are […]
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Residential Tenancies Act remains toothless as support systems become overwhelmed
Nova Scotia’s New Democratic Party is once again calling on Houston’s Progressive Conservative government to create a tenancy enforcement unit to ensure both tenants and landlords are following the rules. In their statement released on July 17, the NSNDP claims Houston’s government has been “sitting on a consultant’s report” recommending the creation of such […]
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R.I.P. Spring Garden Transit-only pilot, Dec 2021 – July 2024
The Spring Garden Transit-only pilot is dead for at least another year. On December 7, 2021, Halifax’s city council directed staff to develop a plan to make Spring Garden Road available only for buses. But even though city staff in the road safety world know that signs, education and enforcement don’t really change driver behaviour, […]
