Full House on Hand at St. Marks Church

(Crowd Gathers at St. Marks Church for Info Session)
                     (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

Plenty of opinions were on display at an information session hosted by Health Minister and Quispamsis MLA Mary Schryer last night. The guest speaker was Energy Minister Jack Keir, on hand to answer questions and concerns about the NB Power/Hydro Quebec proposal. Many came armed with facts and their passion on their sleeve including Albert Comeau who among other things said he is sad to be from Quispamsis. After asking his question he looked at Both Minister Schyer and Keir and asked them who is pushing them to commit political suicide.


Minister Schryer's daughter Aaron was also on hand and got up to adress the crowd to let them know how disrspectful it had been acting. The question asked by most people on hand to Minister Keir was, if this is such a positive deal for everyone in this Province.....then what is the rush to have it done by the end of next month.

Minister Keir Speaks to Full House in Quispamsis

(Energy Minister Keir Speaks to Crowd in Quispamsis)
                (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

After being bombarded with questions for over an hour, Energy Minister Keir didn't stick around long to speak with the media. He was scheduled for another engagement at nine but when asked by CHSJ News, what is the rush to have the deal done by the end of next month, the Minister says this deal will benefit every rate payer in the Province and it's the right thing to do.
That wasn't good enough for many as the hecklers continued to press the Minister with get rid of the deal and out it to a vote.

New Home Construction Off To A Good Start

The new year is off to a solid start on the housing front in greater Saint John -- the latest report from Canada Mortgage and Housing shows new home construction is up 28-percent in the first month of the year against January a year ago.
The federal housing agency says new multiple family units are leading the way so far this year.
Meantime -- new housing starts are also up in Moncton and Fredericton.

Shooting Update in Lower Norton

Aggravated assault is the charge Scott and Adam Quigley are facing. The brothers made a brief court appearance this afternoon in Hampton. Both are free on bail until they re-appear in court next Tuesday. A 42-year man was shot in his home in Lower Norton Friday morning of last week and is listed in serious but stable condition at the Regional.
RCMP did get a statement last night from the man who was shot.

Ammonia Leak at Moosehead

Two men were sent to the Regional just afternoon today after an amonia leak in the brewing operation of Moosehead on the West-Side. Vice-President of Communications Joel Levesque tells CHSJ News, the building has and will remain evacuated for the rest of the day. Levesque adds at this point all levels being taken by the Haz-Mat unit are negative.


Both men have been treated at hospital and are doing fine.

Minister Schryer Rolls Out New System

     (Health Minister Schryer Speaks at the Regional)
                 (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

The final report for the Provincial trauma system has been unveiled by Health Minister Mary Schryer. It includes a new toll free trauma line and no-refusal policy which are both expected to be in place by the spring. Schryer says despite a few growing pains.....the system works.
The committee which put together the report was chaired by former health minister Dr. Dennis Furlong and includes senior staff and medical representatives from each regional health authority.

Trauma Center Doctor Speaks to the Media

(Dr. Marcelle Martin at the Podium Speaking at the Regional)
                  (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

Dr. Marcelle Martin is the Director of the Provincial Trauma Care Center and says despite recent claims, he is living in this Province. His position is also under fire after it took 12 hours for a Bathurst woman to receive emergency care at the Regional Hospital after an accident. Dr. Martin admits the current practise of handing out his cell-phone number for consultation doesn't work.
There are 600 critical trauma cases in this Province every year. The new system will see a trauma team physcian leader for the level 1, 2 and 3 centers.

Rothesay Conservative MLA Weighs in on Trauma Set-Up

(Rothesay Conservative MLA Margaret Ann Blaney)
                (File Photo)

One of the people most critical of why it took so long to present the system was on hand for the announcement. Conservative MLA for Rothesay Margaret Ann Blaney tells CHSJ News, the direction that has been outlined is probuably the best way to go.
Blaney adds she agree's with the policy of no-patient refused but is still nervous about the current set-up of Dr. Martin be contacted by cell-phone in an emergency until the toll free trauma line is set up.

More Reaction to Stuart Jaimeson Decision

              (Business Minister Victor Boudreau)
                   (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

Another Minister in the Graham cabinet is weighing in on the loss of Stuart Jamieson. The MLA for Saint John Fundy was asked to resign his Tourism portfolio after saying he felt the NB Power/Hydro Quebec proposal should go toa referendum. Business Minister Victor Boudreau says he believes in this deal and isn't concerned about his political future.


Boudreau adds while he respects Jaimeson and his decision, he broke the confidentiality of cabinet. Boudreau was the guest speaker at a luncheon in Saint John today put on by the Rotary Club.

Saint John Portland MLA Questions Latest Move

(Saint John Portland MLA Trevor Holder)
                 (File Photo)

Saying it's a sad day for democracy, the MLA for Saint John Portland is stunned with the latest move by Premier Graham. Tourism Minister Stuart Jamieson was forced to resign from his cabinet post on Friday in light of his stance on the revised NB Power deal. Jamieson believes the decision should go to a referendum and Trevor Holder tells CHSJ News, in seven and a half years, he can't re-call his government pressuring him to do something he didn't agree with.


CHSJ News has left several messages for the Saint John Fundy MLA to get his reaction but have yet to hear back. Jamieson has told our news room recently he is expected to make a decision on whether or not to re-offer in the fall election by next month.

Radio Renovations Rolling Along

The finish line is in sight as far as the renovations to our radio stations here on King Street is concerned. The walls are in place, a coat of paint has been rolled out and the new carpets are down. Crews from FCC also have a good portion of the electric work done as they now wait for a few more supplies to show to finish up the job.


If everything stays on track, phase one of the $500,000 project should be finished by the end of the month. If you want to get a look at the lay-out, you can go to country94.ca and click news or the wave.ca.

Radio Renovations Week Five

Opposition Leader Claims Premier Is In Crisis Over NB Power Deal

(Provincial Conservative Leader David Alward)

(File Photo)

Provincial Conservative Leader David Alward is renewing his call for an election over the NB Power deal with Hydro Quebec while claiming Premier Shawn Graham finds himself with an internal crisis on his hands. This follows the departure from cabinet of Provincial Tourism Minister Stuart Jamieson who was asked to resign over his position that a public referendum should be held on the revised NB Power agreement.
Alward says the Premier has suffered a direct attack on his leadership over the deal and demonstrates there is not unanimous support within the Liberal caucus for it.
Alward also charges Graham kept his caucus and cabinet in the dark about the deal until it was made public last October.

Man To Be In Court For Shooting In Lower Norton

A 41 year old man from Erbs Cove is going to be in front of a judge this morning in relation to a shooting in Lower Norton. The man, whose name has not been released, will be in Hampton Provincial Court to face a charge in connection to the shooting of a 42 year old man late last week.
The victim was taken to the Regional Hospital on Friday with a gunshot wound and injuries that were believed to be serious.
The Mounties are looking for additional information on the case, and can be contacted at 832-5566 or through Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Public Forums on Proposed NB Power Sale Tonight

The UNB Saint John Faculty of Arts is sponsoring a public forum on the NB Power-Hydro Quebec issue tonight. The speakers will be Prof. Yves Gagnon, Tom Mann who is coordinator for the Coalition of New Brunswickers and professor Greg Marquis. Professor Rob Moir tells CHSJ News, they hope to have an open discussion on the issue. Once the speakers have made their presentations, anyone on hand will have a chance to ask a question. Things gets started at seven o'clock in room 104 Oland Hall.
Along with the public forum at U-N-B Saint John, Qusipamsis M-L-A and Health Minister Mary Schryer will be hosting a public information meeting to discuss the revised agreement to sell some of the assets of NB Power to Hydro Quebec. Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir will be on hand as well. It's scheduled to get underway at 7:00 in St. Mark's Church on the Pettingill Road.

Cost Overruns With Point Lepreau Refurbishment

(Saint John M-P Rodney Weston)

(File Photo)

With the Province threatening court action against Atomic Energy Limited of Canada for cost over-runs at Point Lepreau, the MP for Saint John says a solution is on the table. Rodney Weston says in a recent meeting with Energy Minister Keir, he told him a solution can be find through proper channels.
Weston says he has been told Coleson Cove was shut down last summer so why were we buying replacement power for the refit to begin with? He adds the onus is on the Province and or NB Power to prove that AECL did not live up to it's terms of the contract.

Trauma Care Report To Be Released

(Rothesay M-L-A and Opposition Healthcare Critic Margaret Ann Blaney)

(File Photo)

Provincial Health Minister Mary Schryer is expected to release a report this mlorning on trauma services in the province and how they're going to be made better. The Opposition's Healthcare Critic, Margaret Ann Blaney tells CHSJ News the recommendations should have been implemented months ago especially after last week's revelation of a 12 hour delay in getting emergency treatment for a Bathurst woman. Blaney goes on to say the report that is to be released has been characterised as "the Holy Grail" of trauma care and doctors have become frustrated with the delay.