Chris Benjamin Nova Scotia Writer

Username Andyf?

John Prine's song "Lake Marie" is masterful musical storytelling, and possibly near the height of human achievement.

Snow stayed pretty longer in these parts 600 years ago.

“People just can’t afford to pay the bills, and so they have to make impossible choices between turning the heat off and freezing through the night, or sacrificing paying for their medicines, or making food runs when they need groceries,” he said.

globalnews.ca/news/1166496...

#NSPoli

I promise I’ll pipe down about Ellis on Guard soon, but just wanted to put out a little reminder that there’s a book launch at @woozlesbooks.bsky.social on Thursday at 5:30, and all are welcome! #halisky #kidlit

You might enjoy Bo Burnham's take on modern country music.

Did they say what for?

‘I’m not a bank but I feel like one’: N.S. utility customers say billing issues unacceptable - Halifax | Globalnews.ca Frustration is growing in Nova Scotia as many Nova Scotia Power customers say they're struggling with record-high electricity bills after the utility company's cyberattack.

During which I talk about the impossible choices facing low-income households between heat, medicine and food globalnews.ca/news/1166496...

Pay adequate property tax for services, or have garbage in the streets, inadequate transit, drive away tourism and young people, create financial death spiral.

I nominate Leonard Cohen’s “The Partisan” as Canada’s most patriotic song.

🌿🏞️ The Yurok Tribe in California has achieved a historic victory by reclaiming ancestral lands taken over 120 years ago. In May 2025, more than 47,000 acres around Klamath River were formally returned — the largest land-back deal in the state’s history ✨📜.

and this

I particularly like this

He's just trying to appease voters who love sitting in traffic getting that sweet high off pollutants.

If you're looking for smart counter arguments to all the anti-bike BS, this is handy: www.activeatlantic.ca/resources/my...

Canada is off course for its climate targets Canada is further from its climate targets than it was just two years ago. The Canadian Climate Institute’s assessment of the ...

Canada is off course for its climate targets, with more riding on fewer policies
440megatonnes.ca/insight/cana...

“Special interests” including healthcare, good jobs, protecting nature and limiting climate impacts, education…

Civil society groups call on NS government to improve transparency in this year’s provincial budget processes

CCPA-NS, EAC, NSFL, and ACE are calling on the NS gov’t to improve transparency and include us in this year’s budget lock-up.

Full release here: ecologyaction.ca/resources-me...
#nspoli

We now have a CDC grant tracker and are collecting information on CDC terminations. If your CDC grant was terminated, we need your help to gather data and documents! Please report!

grant-witness.us/submit-cdc.h...

A veritable winter wonderland!

Commenting on energy injustice is now the floor for any halftime act.

“Together We Are America”

a green bird with a red beak is sitting on a rock ALT: a green bird with a red beak is sitting on a rock

It really should be an Olympic sport

Huge news for me today! My book about coastal erosion will by published by Harper Collins Canada in 2027. This project started 2+ years ago when I found a human skull on a beach that had rolled down from an eroding graveyard and has evolved into a global exploration of risk and loss and resilience.

Canadian Inuit head to Greenland to show solidarity, attend consulate opening NUUK — As Canada prepares to launch its new consulate in Greenland this week, dozens of Inuit from across the Canadian Arctic flew into the Danish territory’s capital Nuuk on Thursday to show solidari...

Canadian Inuit head to Greenland to show solidarity, attend consulate opening #Canada #Greenland🍁

halifax.citynews.ca/2026/02/05/c...

Nova Scotia Loyal Book Voucher Program You can now receive one of 4,000 $10 vouchers to be redeemed on over 1,600 eligible Nova Scotian authored and published book titles at participating independent bookstores. Participating locations include: On The Same Page Books (Sydney), Baintons Tannery/Madd Hatter Books (Annapolis Royal), Inside Story (Greenwood), Good Dog Books (Bridgewater), Lunenburg Bound (Lunenburg), Block Shop Books (Lunenburg), Bookmark (Halifax), Woozles (Halifax), Tattletales (Dartmouth), Carrefour Atlantic (Halifax) and Open Book (Halifax) Vouchers are valid until February 28, 2026

Just a few more weeks to get $10 off an NS-authored/NS-published book from an indie bookstore (eligible books have to check both boxes. So for me, When the Ocean Came to Town would probably count, Ellis on Guard wouldn’t). But there are 100s of books that apply, so go check ‘em out! #halisky

a basketball player is smiling in front of a crowd with a sn logo in the corner ALT: a basketball player is smiling in front of a crowd with a sn logo in the corner

already taken

I think this was my fourth in halifax, all in the nineties, all s hort term and cheap

I was living with someone i should not have been living with After having lived briefly in the south, and readjusting to the concept of winter. A bitter sweet time.

I worked in this spot for many years. And many years before that, i lived here. Some good (and not so good) memories.