Common Councillors Shy Away From Joining Pension Board

Pension Board trustee Bill Buckley says there has been a vacant spot on the board which is supposed to be filled by a member of Common Council but no one appears anxious to step into the breach.

Councillor Bruce Court is a Pension Board member and can understand why complaining he gets yelled at when he's at the mall and at a Sea Dogs game, a retired police officer started cursing him with the accusation thaht he, somehow, lost the pension money.

Buckley also points out it costs virtually the same to fly from Saint John to St. John's or Vancouver as it does to San Diego.
 
He was responding to Common Council's vote the other night to restrict the travel of Pension Board trustees to within Canada.

Defamation Trial Told City Doesn't Have "Cadillac" Pension Plan

The defamation lawsuit against former Common Councillor John Ferguson is not about money......It's about knowing we're not crooks. That testimony delivered by Pension Board trustee Bill Buckley of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

Under cross examination, Buckley admitted most of the union members consider the lawsuit against Ferguson to be a waste of money. It was also revealed the Pension Board's legal fees from 2006 to the end of 2010 exceeded 1.8 million dollars.
 
Buckley telling the jury the pension plan has a 191 million dollar deficit today because the actuary keeps changing the numbers assuming city retirees will be living longer when actually they're dying younger. He pointed out the plan recorded an 18 million dollar surplus at the end of 2006 before the actuarial assumptions were changed.
 
Buckley admitted there was some confusion over disability pensions but it's not the job of Pension Board members to take away benefits and no one on the Board suggested reducing benefits in light of the deficit.

The Originals Arts Gala Returns May 31st

Finalists for The Originals arts awards being announced ahead of the Gala awards ceremony on May 31st at the Imperial.


The event was launched two years ago as part of the Saint John 225 events.

The nominees include Babette Hayward, Jared Peters and Philip Savage for the emerging artist award.


Cliff Turner, Carol Taylor and Herzl Kashetsky are up for the Visual Arts Award.

In the Film and New Media Arts category, Steven Doiron and Nathan Savage are the finalists.

Brian Goodwin and Gerry Taylor are in the running for the Arts Support Award.
 
To see the complete list of finalists, click here

Schools In Saint John Area Are Open

Schools in District 8 are open today despite the snow.

Schools in District 6 are open but the buses are operating on a one hour delay. 

District 17 schools are also open today but the buses are running on a two hour delay.

Gas Prices Up A Bit

You'll have to pay a bit more for gas after the weekly setting if you have to fill up over the next few days. 

Self serve regular is being sold for $1.32.5 a litre in the city, a rise of just over a cent. 

Diesel has gone up by 1 and a half cents to $1.39.5 a litre around town.

Heating oil is also more expensive at $1.23.1 and propane is listed at $1.03.2 a litre.

Uptown Store To Be Hit With Cash Mob

We have all heard of flash mobs but what about cash mobs?

Heather Day-Thorburn is co-organizing such an event for March 23rd, where a large group of people will descend on a single store in the uptown and each person will spend 20 dollars.

She tells CHSJ News she use to own her own business and she knows how difficult it can be to make it work.

She says it's a great way to support local businesses and other cash mobs will be planned as well.

To get involved, search "Cash Mobs Saint John NB" on Facebook or @CashMobsSJNB on Twitter.

Ca-r-ma Rescues Abandoned South End Cat

It's a happy ending for a sick cat found in the hallway of a
building in the City's south end.

Two students found the white cat with green eyes with infections, fleas and crying in pain.

The recent end to the animal control contract between the
City and SPCA Animal Rescue meant they couldn't find any help for the cat.

Luckily, non profit group Ca-r-ma (Cat Rescue Maritimes) is now caring for the cat and spokesperson Stephanie Godin tells CHSJ News one of students called her after finding "Emery" on Sunday night.

Godin says "Emery" is now under a vet's care and they are working to clear up the infection in her leg.
She adds once she is released she will have to be fostered until she can be adopted.

For more info, click here

Rinehart Will Be Running For Council

It's official...Shelley Rinehart is seeking the councillor at large position around the horseshoe.


Rinehart tells CHSJ News she is fully prepared for the negativity and pressure that comes with municipal politics.

She says there is but, she loves Saint John adding the City is at a crossroads and she thinks we need a different approach for how we handle our affairs.

She adds she would love to be part of the team that helps the City turn the corner.

City Manager Testifies City's Pension Board Knew What It Was Doing

City Manager Pat Woods maintains criticism voiced about the city's pension plan by former Common Councillor John Ferguson implied something was amiss on the Pension Board.

Ferguson's lawyer, Rod Gillis scoffed when Woods told the court the Pension Board knew what it's doing asking how can that be considering the city's pension plan is running a deficit of 191 million dollars.
 
Woods also testified benefits have not been reduced but worker contributions into the pension plan have increased. Ferguson was concerned senior staff  on the Pension Board who would be receiving city pensions would not recommend cutting benefits. Woods concedes the concern is legitimate but unfair even though benefits have not gone down but worker contributions have increased.
 
Gillis is also promising to call witnesses who will show where the plan sank.

Police Chief Says Exhibits Are Still Being Processed In Oland Murder Case

Police Chief Bill Reid not saying if or when an arrest will be made in the Richard Oland murder case as the one year anniversary draws near.

Reid says a significant number of exhibits were seized and he's not sure how long it will take to get it all processed.

The work is being done by a 3rd party crime lab.

Oland's body was found in his office on July 7th of last year.

*Correction To Potash Story

A correction to a story we ran on a potash meeting being held tonight in the Millstream area.

We incorrectly identifed PotashCorp of Saskatchewan as the company exploring potash deposits in Millstream.

The project was awarded to Atlantic Potash Corp, which is based in New Brunswick

Council Votes to Go Ahead with New Park

Looks like uptown Saint John is going to get a new green space. Council voted by a narrow margin to go ahead with a call for tenders to develop the public space in Peel Plaza.

Given the slash-and-burn tenor of the last budget, Councillor Snook said it was ridiculous to devote money to what he sees as an unnecessary project--especially since just a couple of weeks ago we were slashing essential services like the bus routes.

2.5 million dollars has been set aside for the project--but none of that is new money. According to Mayor Ivan Court, deciding not to develop the park would be like building a house but forgetting the lawn.

East Side Fire Wipes Out Barn

An investigation underway after an early morning fire destoyed a barn on the east side. 

We're told the cause is not thought to be suspicious. The blaze was reported shortly after 3:30 at 4227 Loch Lomand Road. 

The fire department reports the 12 by 20 foot barn was fully engulfed in flames when crews arrived and anything inside was destroyed but no one was hurt

Injured Cat Now Being Treated

After a bit of publicity, two city students have received help for an abandoned cat with a broken leg found in their apartment building.

Meghan Bullock and Sabrina Hawkey-Noble tell CHSJ News the cat became a public health hazard with an open infected wound not too mention children living in the apartment building who were listening to the cat crying in pain.

A non-profit group, Carma, has stepped into the breach and the cat is now receiving treatment for its injuries.

CHSJ News contacted the city and were told the by-law enforcement office has handled 11 animal control calls since March 1st.

In an email, the City tells us they looking for a solution to provide animal control services that are affordable and address safety concerns.

No School Today In District 6

School Districts 6 and 17 are closed today.

Police Association Still Looking for Commission Support

No response yet from the Police Commission as to whether they will back the Saint John Police Association if it pursues legal action against city council.

Association President Jamie Hachey says council is going against the Police act cutting the police budget by a million dollars.

Commission Chairman Christopher Waldschutz says a written response will be given in a few days and Hachey says he is cautiously optimistic that he will have the commission's support.
 

He says on top of the uncertainty, there has been little communication between senior management and the rank and file of the police force.

Police Have Suspect In Hospital Slaying

Police Chief Bill Reid says there is a suspect in connection to the death of 22 year old Serena Perry but he is not in police custody.

Perry was a psychiatric patient at the Regional Hospital and was found dead in another part of the hospital on February 14th.

Reid says the suspect has not been arrested yet because they are awaiting toxicology and DNA reports.

He says police has been tight-lipped because it does not want to compromise the case.  He says all will make sense once the case is solved, which he believes will be soon.

Residents To Hold Meeting On Potash Mining

A grassroots meeting is being organized for tomorrow night in order to discuss the possible impact and risks of a new potash mine in Millstream by Atlantic Potash Corp.

Co-organizer Marjorie Goodard lives in the Millstream area and she tells CHSJ News residents need to talk to each other about the potential risks of such a project.

She believes residents should be proactive instead of reactive, especially in light of the residents of Penobsquis blaming water problems on Potash Corp and its mining operation.

She says residents are not opposed to the mine but wants to ensure the protection of their water and the environment. She says a contract will drawn up and will be presented to Atlantic Potash Corp.

The meeting will take place at 7pm at Berwick Hall.

Conservation Council Appealing The Renewal Of Point Lepreau's Operating License

The Conservation Council of New Brunswick is appealing the Canadian Safety Commission's decision to renew Point Lepreau's operating license.

CCNB Spokesperson Sharon Murphy tells CHSJ News a seismic risk assessment by NB Power was not properly calculated.

She says according to CCNB's own study, Point Lepreau is not close to being seismically safe.

She says the CCNB even consulted with the scientist who developed the risk assessment methodology used by NB Power.

They want external review of NB Power's seismic risk assessment and is hoping for a response from the safety commission by next week.

McAdam Shakes Again

Residents of McAdam are feeling the earth move again. More quakes were felt in the village this morning.

Earthquakes Canada reports another quake two kilometres southwest of McAdam and aftershocks between 3:28am and 3:44am.

On Saturday, a 2.4 magnitude quake rolled through the village causing things to shake but, no significant damage and no one was hurt.

Freshness Is The Focus At Boston's Seafood Show

True North Salmon looking for new fans of fish at the Boston Seafood show.


Nell Hulse tells CHSJ News the company has to keep their booth and product exciting and fresh year after year.

She says the advantage of New Brunswick is that fish can get from the water to the table or the store shelf within 24 to 48 hours and their competitors in Europe just can't do that.

Hulse says their entire sales team represented at their booth and they are using daisies this year to highlight the importance of freshness.

Defamation Trial Told Ferguson Was Right In Not Trusting Pension Board

Lawyer Rod Gillis asked City Manager Pat Woods whether former Common Councillor John Ferguson was right not to trust the Pension Board.

Woods told Gillis at Ferguson's defamation trial he disagrees but then was asked about why the Pension Board ignored warnings from actuary Fred Lewis to fix the pension plan until recently. Gillis pointedly asked Woods why the changes weren't made 100 million dollars earlier.
 
The City Manager testified the obligation of the Pension Board is to the beneficiaries. Gillis suggested Woods, himself, being a beneficiary, didn't want to change the plan calling that an untenable conflict of interest.
 
He points out then City Manager Terry Totten's recommendation in 2004 with a rising pension plan deficit was to let the taxpayer pay with a rise in the tax rate. Woods conceded he didn't disagree with Totten saying it sounded reasonable at the time. Both Totten and Woods are beneficiaries themselves.
 
Gillis used the city's own figures showing 70 thousand dollars was spent in 2000 and 87 thousand in 2001 to send Pension Board trustees to conferences including one in Maui and questioned whether the money was well spent considering the letter from then Pension Board member Glen Tait in 2006 admitting they didn't fully comprehend what was happening.

Students Frustrated With Lack Of Animal Control

The City of Saint John's by-law enforcement office handling 11 animal control calls since March 1st when the contract with SPCA Animal Rescue League ended.


Two students who found a cat left in the hallway of their building with a broken leg tell CHSJ News they tried everyone they could think and could find no help for the injured animal.

Sabrina Hawkey-Noble and Meaghan Bullock say they can't afford the vet bills to look after the cat and consider it a public health hazard to have a sick and possibly diseased cat with open infected wounds in a common area where children can hear it cry in pain.

In an email, the City tells us they looking for a solution to provide animal control services that are affordable and address public safety concerns.

Woods Says Ferguson Should Have Clarified Sooner

Lawyer Rod Gillis questioning City Manager Pat Woods in minute detail about how John Ferguson's statements allegedly defamed the pension board.  As Gillis went through Ferguson's statements with a fine-toothed legal comb, Woods fired back that Ferguson didn't have a solicitor standing over his shoulder clarifying every sentence and every word.

Woods said any reasonable person who heard phrases like “desperate gamblers”, “sweeping under the rug”, and “severely underfunded” would have figured there's something wrong with the pension board. He also said that if Ferguson Wasn't referring to the board (as Gillis suggested) Ferguson should have just said that from the get-go when first asked for an apology.

Gillis replied “You already agreed with me that there's something wrong with the pension plan.” and said Woods was reluctant to to make changes even when he knew there were benefits to be had.

Farren and Court Spar Over Pension Board Issues

Councillor Court and Bill Farren butting heads once again over the mix of representatives on the pension board. Farren motioned in Common Council Monday that the board include more professionals to carry out its mandate going forward.

Councillor Farren told council he's only asking for what premier Alward himself told council to do. Councillor Court saying the motion is just one more public disrespect of the people on the board, saying that he already has been coming up to him and yelling at him at the mall and at hockey games over the pension board's activities and he doesn't need any more flack. 

He further said that the problem isn't the composition of the board, but rather the negative thinking on the part of some so called "Monday night councilors" who only show up at meetings but--as he sees it--don't do much more than that.

Despite objections from the Mayor and Councillor Bill MacGuire that Farren's motion was based more on subjective opinion that fact, council voted 5-4 in favour of bringing more professionals on the board.

Overseas Training Nixed for Pension Board Trustees

As we told you earlier this week, Councillor Bill Farren taking a strong stand against pension trustees being sent for training in far-flung locations like Las Vegas and Hawaii. Farren motioning to council Monday night that spending be reigned in by limiting trips within Canada.

Councillor Gary Sullivan weighing in on his hopes on the issue in light of the massive pension deficit, saying if it's a choice between Hawaii and PEI, he hopes trustees will choose Anne of Green Gables.

In the end, all members of council except Councillor Court voted in favour of keeping the trustees closer to home going forward.

Saint John Breaks A Temperature Record

Saint John was not unlike the rest of the country enjoying an early Spring.
The mercury hitting 12.5 degrees yesterday breaking the temperature record set six years ago of 11.2 degrees.

Environment Canada's Darren Borgel tells CHSJ News unfortuneately Mother Nature has an ugly follow-up in mind.

He says Saint John area is on the line between rain, snow and ice pellets and the rain will start this afternoon adding you don't have to go to far inland before you hit snow and ice pellets.

Borgel says Grand Manan and St. Stephen will see more rain.

Two Crashes Send Two Women To Hospital

One woman taken to hospital after a single vehicle crash on Highway one eastbound causing all 7 airbags in her vehicle to deploy.

The collision backing up traffic significantly for the trek home tonight.

Earlier, there was another single vehicle accident on the east side. A quarter ton truck leaving the road and winding up on its side at Grandview Avenue and McLeod Road. One woman had to be extricated by the fire department and she was taken to hospital with undetermined injuries.

The Saint John Fire Department also dispelling reports of a fire on Partridge Island.
They got a call earlier of smoke being seen on the island but checked it out and found nothing.

They did spot something florescent orange on top of the building. 

The island is cared for by the Coast Guard and they were informed of the situation.

Gillis Argues Ferguson Didn't Get Requested Info

John Ferguson asked for information about how they might solve the pension deficit, and you didn't give it to him for 8 months—that from lawyer Rod Gillis to City Manager Pat Woods. At the former common councilor's defamation trial, the court heard Ferguson asked to see the now-infamous “Pink Letter”, in which Halifax lawyer Ronald Pink outlined recommendations for the board—but Woods put him off.

Woods told the court, “All I remember is sending the Pink letter. I don't know whether Ferguson was on council in that year or not.” Woods was working as both common clerk and deputy city manager up until March 2008.

Woods said Ferguson would have had to motion to see the documents. “Do you mean to tell me that if you as a clerk has a document, a resolution of council is needed to see it? Is that how the City of Saint John works?

One of Ferguson's allegedly defamatory comments is that that the pension board withheld information.

The Province Encouraging Candidates For May Elections

You are being encouraged to consider a run in the May elections.

Elections NB is using flyers and a website to give prospective candidates details about the various positions that will be contested in the municipal, district education council and regional health authority elections on May 14.

Municipal Electoral officer Mike Quinn tells CHSJ News they are reaching out to people who want to make their communities and the province a better place to live and work.

The deadline to file nomination papers is April 13.

For more info, click here.

P-E-I Company Claims There's A Demand In Province For Intercity Shuttle Service

Advanced Shuttle Service of P-E-I making its case for a reservations only intercity service for the province before the Energy and Utilities Board. 

The mothers of two high school students who were killed in a van crash outside Bathurst in 2008 object to the use of 15 seat passenger vans charging they're prone to rollovers. 

Owner David Anderson rejects the suggestion that 15 seat passenger vans are more prone to rollovers although, at some point, he would consider using the multi-function activity bus which he admits is roomier and more comfortable.

He adds they check their tires are checked daily and inspected monthly.

Glen Carr of the Amalgamated Transit Union at Acadian Coach LInes considers the proposed service to be a threat, which Anderson denies.

A written decision on the application will be made within the next thirty days.

Bus Cuts Protest on King Street

A small protest on King street against looming bus cuts receiving support from passersby and even aspiring councillors.
Three people are set up with yellow bus-shaped signs and posters.

Community activist Tammy Calvin tells CHSJ News the impact is drastic with bus service is some communities ending at 5:30pm and she wonders how people are supposed to get home from work.

She fears people walking home will be more vulnerable to crime.

Calvin has little sympathy for the City of Saint John's financial struggles telling us they should be adding service not taking it away.

Speakers To Discuss Human Rights In Mexico

UNB Saint John playing host to a speaking tour today focusing on the struggle for peace and human rights in Mexico.
 
Ganong Hall is holding the talk at 2 this afternoon and it will be held again tonight at 6:30 at the Grand Hall on Charlotte street.

All of the speakers are respected human rights defenders interested in communicating their perspectives with the Canadian public.
 
They include Vidulfo Rosale Sierra a human rights lawyer and Yolanda Moran Isais of United Forces for our Disappeared in Mexico.

UNB's Fredericton campus hosts the event tomorrow afternoon.

EUB Hears Transport Canada Consider Vans Safe

The Energy and Utilities Board holding a hearing in Saint John today on an application by a PEI company who want to use 15-person passenger vans in this province.

The EUB has been told by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles for the province, Charles O'Donnell the 15 seat passenger vans that would be used in the province by Advanced Shuttle Service are considered safe by Transport Canada.


The owner of Advanced Shuttle, David Anderson says the service in New Brunswick would run four days a week by reservation only. The cost would range from 85 to 135 dollars return.

Some of the mothers of teenage basketball players killed in a 2008 Bathurst van crash want 15-passenger vans taken off the roads calling them death traps.

They spoke at the hearing today against the application by Advanced Shuttle Service.

Farren Slams Exotic Trips for Pension Trustees

The tropical idylls enjoyed by some pension board trustees have been a hot topic lately in the defamation trial of John Ferguson. Now that it's out in the open, Councillor Bill Farren tells us he wants to see travel limited to here in Canada.

Farren tells CHSJ News there's no doubt that trustees need training--but there doesn't need to be such a massive cost associated with it.

Farren says he knows for a fact that the same training is available here in Canada, because when he was involved in pension matters he didn't need to take any exotic trips.

Small Businesses In Province More Confident

Despite a rising unemployment rate in the province and the prospect of flat hiring for the forsesseable future, small businesspeople appear to be more confident these days. That, according to the latest survey from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

Policy Analyst Richard Dunn tells CHSJ News the rising price of gas is a big concern and small business owners will be keeping a close eye on what's contained in the provincial budget.
 
Dunn warns if gas prices keep on going up, that could be a damper on tourism.

Lower Interest Rates - Tougher Qualifications For Mortgages

The mortgage wars are heating up again - but - a local real estate board official says that doesn't mean it's getting any easier to qualify for a mortgage.
The big banks are duking it out offering a 2.99-percent interest over a four or five year period - and - while mortgage rates remain at historic lows -- Greater Saint John Real Estate Board president Jason Stephen says the federal government has pushed mortgage companies to be stricter when qualifying people.
He says lenders are spending more time verifying information including employment and down payments.
And Stephen predicts Ottawa will soon move to shorten the maximum mortgage terms from 30 to 25-years.

Quake Shakes McAdam Area

A bit of a jolt for McAdam residents over the weekend -- the village experiencing a minor earthquake Saturday.
Earthquakes Canada says the quake was centred about 2-kilometres southwest of the village with a magnitude of 2.4.
There haven't been any reports of significant damage although some residents say pictures fell off the walls while others say it felt like something hit the side of their homes.

CNIB Calls Glaucoma a "Silent Thief"

The silent thief--that's the name some give to glaucoma. The degenerative eye disease effects some 66-hundred New Brunswickers--but the scary thing is, over half of them don't know it yet.

Theresa Lyon, a low vision specialist with the CNIB encourages people to get their eyes tested. She tells CHSJ news it's vital to do so regularly, because early detection is your best hope for treatment--and glaucoma doesn't have obvious symptoms at first. If it's caught early optometrists can generally prescribe eye drops and regular check-ups to keep the progression of the disease at bay.

Glaucoma is the second-most-common cause of blindness and partial sight in Canadians over 65, after age-related macular degeneration.

Photos of Fraud Suspects Released

The RCMP have nabbed one of the alleged fraudsters stealing people's banking information at debit terminals in Moncton. We told you last week that the RCMP was looking for three individuals in connection with the case--about which police have received over 30 complaints.

Three men entered a convenience store on Champlain Street in Dieppe, and replaced the point-of-sale terminal from the counter with a device that recorded  banking information from cards swiped on it. The compromised terminal was removed by the service provider on March 5, 2012.

They may have also tampered with the terminal at a restaurant on Mountain Road. The information was then used to fraudulently get funds in a foreign country.

If your recognize either of the suspects, you're being asked to contact Codiac Regional RCMP at 857-2400 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. (8477).

Moms Protest Against "Death Traps on Wheels"

Daylight Savings Time Has Its Perks

We're one step closer to long summer evenings with the time change this morning. All Canadian provinces except Saskatchewan put their clocks ahead by an hour as we switch back to Daylight Savings Time.

As well as the extra daylight, the time change has other perks: according to one American study, violent crimes go down 10% to 13% in daylight savings time--probably because such crimes often happen at night .Studies have found that the Daylight Saving Time reduces net traffic accidents and fatalities by close to one percent--probably due to greater visibility.

As well, the Saint John Fire Department reminds you that the time change is also a great time to check your smoke alarm and batteries.

Fish Farmers Association Fishing For Big Business

The Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association will be attending the Boston Seafood Show in an effort to reel in more business for Atlantic salmon farms.

The Boston Seafood show the largest seafood exhibition in North America.

Executive Director Pamela Parker tells CHSJ News our product is highly regarded because of our ideal farming conditions, like pristine waters and locally-owned farms.

She says there will be 900 exhibitors and will access to up to 18-thousand potential buyers.

The Association will be distributing a new video about salmon farming that shows how the fish are grown and how they get from egg to plate.

To see the video, click here.

It's Time To Spring Forward

It's time to Spring forward as we switch back to Daylight Savings Time.

Before bed tonight,  the clocks go ahead by an hour.

The Saint John Fire Department wants you to check your smoke alarm and batteries when you change your clocks.

City Manager Testifies That Pension Board Members Were Cast In A Negative Light

City Manager and pension board trustee Pat Woods continuing his testimony in the John Ferguson defamation trial.

Woods says the language used by Ferguson during comments and presentations about alleged problems with the pension plan cast the board members in a negative light.

He says phrases like "sweeping things under the rug" and "acting like desperate gamblers" would make any reasonable person believe that the pension board was up to illegal activities.

He says that was not the case and refutes defense lawyer Rod Gillis' term of "The Gang of Four" when referring to city staff on the pension board.

Woods says he has never belonged to a gang and is not a thug. 

He adds because Ferguson never publicly revealed his source on the board who allegedly told him of the wrongdoings , it made every board member a suspect in illegal activity.

Girl Facing Arson Charges After Historic Church Burns

An 18-year-old girl will appear in youth court in Fredericton in relation to the December 2011 fire that destroyed the historic St. Ann’s Parish Catholic Church in Kingsclear First Nation.

Charges may also be laid against another a 17 year old as the crown prosecutor’s office is reviewing the file.

The 18 year old girl is appearing in youth court to enter pleas on charges of arson and breach of probation next month because she was 17 at the time of the fire.

Hiring In Province Expected To Remain Flat

With unemployment on the rise in the province, a policy anaylyst with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Richard Dunn tells CHSJ News don't expect any sort of turnaround for sometime yet. 

He points out that why the C-F-I-B warned against raising the minimum wage too fast and another concern is the rising cost of gas which had been at a three and a half year high. 

In its survey, the C-F-I-B reports 13 per cent of small businesses plan to increase full time employment while 15 per cent say they plan cutbacks.

Unemployment last month in Saint John rose from 7.6 to 7.8 per cent. For New Brunswick, as a whole, it increased from 9.5 to 10.1 per cent.

City Manager Talks About Why Defamation Lawsuit Was Launched

City Manager Pat Woods, who's also a member of the Pension Board, testifying at the defamation trial of the effect allegations made about the Pension Board by former Common Councillor John Ferguson were having.

Woods says the references Ferguson made to Martha Stewart's legal difficulties raised the spectre of wrongdoing with the city's pension plan and rising deficit. 

Woods telling the jury Ferguson offered up no proof of gross negligence. Woods went on to say the Pension Board was under attack and couldn't just sit back.....Some action had to be taken in the face of the allegations because images and reputations were being damaged.

Woods also testified if Ferguson was told by former Pension Board trustee David Gould of wrongdoing, he had an obligation to pass that information along to other members of Common Council or city police but he didn't.

Liberals Calling For Pay Equity

The provincial Liberals wants the province to enact pay equity legislation.

Liberal Leader Victor Boudreau says Thousands of home-support and child care workers in the province are women and are paid a little more than minimum wage.  He says it's finally time to move pay equity forward, especially since reports have already been done on the issue.

He says the Alward government has let the issue fade away.

Boudreau adds the Premier made an election promise to give wage increases to home support workers each year for the next four years but the increase should not be less than what they would get under pay equity.