On our office bulletin board, somebody posted this description of journalism: “It’s a tough job with insane pressure and pretty crappy pay. On the other hand, everybody hates you.” That was pinned up years ago, but it’s still there, ringing true into the new year. Producing a newspaper on a weekly deadline is a special […]
Opinion
Posted inNews + Opinion
Letters to the editor, January 3, 2019
A Freak situation In response to the article “Labour concerns at Freak Lunchbox,” it is apparent that we need to tell our side (City story by Jacob Boon, December 20). This business has supported many families over the past 18 years; five of our six current managers are raising or expecting children. Of course we […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Alternative Christmas plans
Ah, the holidays. Finally, the time of year when you can participate in that long-standing Halifax Christmas tradition of having your entire social circle head to Ontario while you’re here by yourself. Great! The yuletide season can be festive, delightful and frustrating all at once. From terrible Secret Santas (really, hand sanitizer?) to over-indulging in […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Support the artists that create your fantasies
You’re probably a thief. If you’re not a thief, you have knowingly benefited from the work of another thief. Watch porn much? Maybe you aren’t a thief and you do buy your porn. Maybe you do support the creators whose content you’ve long enjoyed on Tumblr for free. Excellent! Keep paying for your smut. Changes […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Letters to the editor, December 20, 2018
Patches of cruelty Every year the cold weather comes, and every year I see the Canada Goose shoulder patches come out. I’m an animal rights activist, and just generally a socially conscious person. There are many wrongs out there that are difficult and complex to solve, and there are ones that aren’t. Status-conscious people are […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
My friend Willard
My friend Willard died on Friday. He was hit and killed by a truck, just around the corner from his home. His home. I loved to walk by his house, I did it on purpose. Would there be a ragtag band of old fellas cracking cold ones on the stoop? Would he be listening to […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Speaking for The Coast: 25 years in review
Halfway through The Coast’s 25th anniversary year, with six months to go until birthday number 26 in June, I can only look back in awe. The Coast has always been a small business that, thanks to the hard work and outsize ambitions of its talented staff and freelancers, has a big influence. It was true […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Letters to the editor, December 13, 2018
Mailed it! With Canada Post filing a legal challenge this week to the government’s back-to-work legislation, I want to thank Heather Grant for her story about the strike (“I am a small business owner and I support the postal workers,” Voice of the City, December 6). Anyone I have spoken to in person while in […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
I am a small business owner and I support the postal workers
In following the progression of the Canada Post strike, I’ve seen nothing but headlines focused on the small business owners who are suffering, the freelancers who are not receiving their cheques, the families whose “Christmases are being held hostage.” I am an independent contractor, a freelancer and a small business owner, and I rely solely […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Letters to the editor, December 6, 2018
Thanks for the podcast memories As a student from Dartmouth who’s been living away for a few years, I just wanted to let you know that I absolutely love The Coast’s 25 for 25 podcast (available now at thecoast.ca/25for25). I look forward to it every week and it really is a nice reminder of home […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
On journalism and biting the hand that feeds you
Last week, as part of their Fall Economic Statement, the federal government announced several initiatives to provide financial support to news organizations, including tax credits to support the production of original news content and to support subscriptions to Canadian news media. They also announced additional direct support for non-profit local news organizations to create open […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Letters to the editor, November 29, 2018
Stadium & statue Every morning when I open my eyes I see my wheelchair. It is my main form of mobility due to an illness. Like most disabled people, I face major obstacles on a daily basis. I call it The Un-accessibility of Accessibility. I believed that the NS government working on Bill 59 would […]
