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Thursday, September 17, 2009

Canaport LNG issues statement over Worker Dispute

Canaport LNG has weighed in on the dispute between their contractor, local tradesman and non-unionized workers from out of town. The company issued a statement tonight saying it's in their best interest to see it resolved quickly.

Canaport LNG says they encouraged the contractor, SNC Lavalin, to use local construction companies where it was possible to do so. The project was even divided up into smaller packages to give local contractors the chance to bid.
Canaport LNG says it encouraged the contractor to use the local workforce and they did with 85% of the skilled workers at the site being from Saint John and surrounding area.
At peak construction times, 1600 workers were on site and 90% of the construction hours used to build the facility so far were performed by unionized workers.

A Slow Commute Today for Saint John Motorists

Several callers telling CHSJ news about a few traffic tie-ups for the drive home.


Traffic is at a crawl eastboound on Route 1 by the Circle K. A Truck and SUV are in the median.

There was another accident at Crown and Union Streets in the intersection. Two vehicles and several emergency personnel on scene. Police say it's still moving slow and two women were sent to hospital to get checked out

And there was an earlier slowdown Highway 1 westbound near Haymarket Square because of paving.

Injunction Against Unemployed Workers Extended

The wording is different but the meaning of a court-ordered injunction remains the same. Justice Hugh McLellan has extended the paper-work against un-employed labourers when it comes to their demonstrations at the Hotel Courtney Bay. The big difference is instead of 500 meters they are ordered to stay 100 meters away from the property. There are several stipulations that go along with the injunction including no threat of force or interfering with anyone trying to leave or come on to the property. The hotel is represented by James LeMesurier who tells CHSJ News, this is what his client was looking for.


The injunction is valid until Jan.2nd of next year or until further order of the court or trial date is set. The company SNC Lavalin and it's contractor Intregal Energy Services, who brought in the workers from Alberta, has had their injunction extended until Monday. It

Second Injunction Extended

The court has also extended an injunction on behalf of the company SNC Lavalin and it's contractor Intregal Energy Services, who brought in the workers from Alberta. The wording is very similar to the one regarding the hotel property with stipulations to stay away from the front entrance of the Canaport LNG site or prohibit any worker from leaving a hotel or motel to go to the work site.

The lawyer representing the companies says attempts were made to serve the un-employed labourers with court papers of the injunction and a chance to have their say in court. He says they were cursed at and threatened with the hearing to continue on Monday of next week.

Visit a Local Farm on Sunday

Wanna milk a cow or feed a chicken this weekend?

You can as part Open Farm Day on Sunday.

37 New Brunswick farms are participating in the Maritime-wide event that gives city folks a glimpse of country life.


The 8th annual agricultural awareness event is also taking place in PEI and Nova Scotia and is a way for the public to learn about local food production.


For a list of Open Farm Day locations in New Brunswick, visit www.gnb.ca

Update on the HINI Pandemic

The Department of Health continues to make plans for a province-wide vaccination program to prevent the spread of the pandemic HINI. Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eilish Cleary says this is a positive move by the Graham Government even if the cost is over $17 million dollars because it will reduce the number of those who get sick, hospital visits and those who die.


Dr. Cleary adds they are still finalizing their vaccine plan but have determined the pecking order for the shot. It includes First Nations Communities, those under 65 with chronic conditions, pregnant women, health care workers and healthy children six months to five years old.

Upgrade at Golden Ball Irving

If you've noticed alot of moving vans in front of the Golden Ball in the past few weeks, so have we and here is what we can tell you. Irving Oil spokes-person Lesley MacLeod tells CHSJ News, they are doing some renovations to the close to 100-year old building and are moving some of it's employee's to another location until the work is finished and storing some of the office equipment.


MacLeod says the work includes a fresh coat of paint and some offices being expanded. The work is expected to finish up in the next few weeks.

Quispamsis Supports Climate Program

The town of Quispamsis is writing a letter of support to the Atlantic Regional Adaptation Collaborative. Council agreed to send a letter to the Climate Change Secretariat outlining a description of how this project will improve efforts to reduce the risk and vulnerability to climate change.

The goal of the collaborative is to ensure provincial and municipal decision makers consider climate change adaptation in their day to day decisions.

Inflation Rate Edges Up Slightly

Saint John's inflation rate is still below the zero mark. The port city's rate of inflation grew to negative 0.2 per cent in August compared with negative 0.4 per cent in July. That's the same as the province.


Stats-Canada says the national inflation rate edged up slightly to negative 0.8 per cent last month. Lower gas prices continue to drive the inflation rate down. It cost just over a dollar a litre on average to fill up last month, compared with average prices of a-dollar-27 at the pumps last August.

Break and Enters Overnight

City police dealing with a couple of break and enters last night. Both the Dairy Queen on Welsley Avenue in the North End and the Peel Plaza field office uptown were broken into. Police say windows were broken at both locations, but nothing was stolen.


No arrests have been made.

UNBSJ Gets a Major Donation










(UNBSJ campus at Tucker Park - file photo)
UNB Saint John has recieved an unexpected donation of 1.1 million dollars. The bequest comes from the late Violet Woodroffe and has been used to establish five 40 thousand dollar scholarships. The Foley-Woodroffe Scholarships are open to high academic achievers entering the local campus.


Woodroffe, who lived to be 106, did not attend UNB--but--her cousin, Joan Alarie, says she was generally interested in young people furthering their education.

Gas Prices Drop Two Cents








The price of gasoline has dropped two cents as the Energy and Utilities Board releases its maximum price schedule for the next week. Regular self-serve gas can sell for up to 94.6 cents a litre-- plus a possible two cent delivery charge. Most gas stations in greater Saint John are selling fuel for 94.9.


Diesel fuel has gone up per centage points to land at 94.1--plus delivery; while furnace oil is selling for a maximum of 81.2 and propane is about one cent cheaper at 96.6 cents a litre---including the possible two cent delivery charge.

Concert Complaints

If you have a question or complaint about the Sean Kingston show at Harbour Station on Tuesday night, hopefully this will clear things up for you. Some parents and ticket holders are upset the show didn't finish up until after eleven o'clock and got started one hour late. Jack Livingston is owner of SRO Promotions that brought the show to Saint John and tells CHSJ News, they had a decision to make.....cancel the show or fix a computer problem with a delay in the start time.

Livingston says he made the final call so if there is anyone to point the finger of blame at.....it is him.

Sea Dogs Strive for Greater Ticket Sales

A self-imposed dead-line for the front office of the Saint John Seadogs is closing in. About a month ago, they stated they would like to have 2500 season tickets sold before the puck drops for this season's home-opener. The game is Saturday and President Wayne Long tells CHSJ News, they are close and the clock is still ticking.

Long says he will not be disappointed if they don't reach the 2500 mark knowing the economy hasn't been the best but happy with their effort in promoting the team.

Update on Kent Hills Wind Farm Fire

We have an update today on that fire at the Kent Hills wind farm last month. Investigators have ruled out a lightning strike as the cause of the blaze which did considerable damage to one of the over 30 turbines. Energy Minister Jack Keir tells CHSJ News, nothing has been pinpointed yet.


Even with a lightning strike ruled out, Minister Keir says he isn't worried about a manufacturing defect with the turbines.