Grand Mananer Dies After Long Wait For Air Service

A heart attack victim from Grand Manan has died needlessly....that according to MLA for Charlotte-The Isles Rick Doucet. He emphasizes the importance of air-based evacuation from Grand Manan to the Saint John Regional.

 Previously, residents could be transported to hospitals in Saint John or Moncton directly from the island. Under a new contract signed less than a week ago the wait-times are much longer.

Doucet says he's been saying all along the cuts would have a disastrous effect and this incident proves it. He says given the "golden hour" for medical response in certain emergencies, the wait time is simply unacceptable.

Doucet says the helicopter arrived just after 1pm, but just before the patient could be taken to the helicopter--four hours after the ambulance was called--the patient suffered another, fatal heart attack.

Doucet says Grand Mananers are anxious to have the island-based service restored.

Horse Dies After Alleged Abuse

The horse allegedly abused in a high-profile case near Geary has been euthanized.

We told you last week the animal was left out without food or water in stifling heat. Sergeant Joel Sauleof District 2 RCMP tells CHSJ News the owner of the animal surrendered to to the SPCA voluntarily.

The animal was later euthanized. Saule says the investigation is ongoing.

Photo: courtesy of a concerned tipster to our CHSJ Newsroom.

Man Dies In Police Custody

A 43-year-old man has died while in police custody.

The Tracadie-Sheila man being arrested twice Sunday morning for knocking on people's doors while intoxicated, then hours later for trying to break into a house.

While in custody for a second time Mounties say during a routine evening check a guard noticed he was unresponsive. Officers tried to resuscitate him and he was later taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Bathurst police are leading the investigation into the man's death. His name has not been released.

Saint John Ads Take Over Halifax

The City of Saint John getting more publicity around Halifax. 

Giant billboards can be seen around the Nova Scotia city -- promoting the City market, Uptown and other areas. 

Ross Jefferson from Discover Saint John tells CHSJ news Porty City offers a lot with it's waterfront, historic character, great shopping and food.

Jefferson adds the new ads in Nova Scotia makes sense since most visitors come from the Maritimes.  He estimates tourism brings in about a quarter of a billion dollars spent on goods and services.

Look For A Vehicle Report Card On Your Car

Four Saint John police officers are putting report cards on vehicles in Uptown parking lots based on what can or can't be seen inside and if its locked or not.

Sgt. David Hartley-Brown tells CHSJ News four officers are placing pass/fail report cards on the vehicles in some uptown parking lots.

He says they are hoping to increase the numbers of people who lock theirs cars adding 100 per cent would be ideal but any improvement is better.

Hartley-Brown says an easy target is a car with the windows down and doors unlocked with valuables in plain sight where a hard target is locked with nothing valuable visible from looking inside.

Teens Arrested In Car Thefts

Some Rothesay teens arrested for theft after an early-morning bust...

Police received a report around 4am that a young pair were tampering with vehicles around Hillsview Crescent area. When they arrived on the scene they found a group of teens, including two that matched the description of the thieves.

The 14 year old girl and a 15 year old boy were arrested.

Moose License Draw Results In

The results of the 2012 provincial moose license draw are now available.

Hunters who entered the draw may find out if they were successful either by calling or by checking online.  

Callers will be asked to enter their provincial medicare number using the telephone keypad and applicants will then be informed if they were successful in the draw.

To purchase their moose license, hunters must bring a valid medicare card to a Natural Resources office or to a participating Service New Brunswick center after August 20th.

There were over  63,000 applications for more than 4,600 licenses available for provincial residents. The 2012 moose hunting season runs from September 27th to the 29th.

To find out whether you received a moose license click here. 
You can also call 1-800-459-3729.

Watch Out For Dangerous Algae

Most of the algae that grows in lakes and ponds is harmless---but there's one kind you should watch out for. The Department of Health warning folks about blue green algae, which can be recognized for its blue-green colour and paint-like scum it leaves on the water.

It causes skin, eye and throat irritation and even more serious effects if consumed. Young children and pets are particularly sensitive.

You should avoid swimming, water-skiing or other activities in water showing signs of blue green algae.

Speed Likely A Factor In Minto ATV Death

A man is dead after an ATV crash in Minto on Saturday night.

RCMP were called to the crash around 7pm where a 21-year-old man drove into a large mud hole where he lost control of his vehicle causing it to roll over several times, throwing him off.

Police say he wasn't wearing a helmet at the time and they believe speed was a factor.

Carnival Glory In Port Today

The Carnival Glory cruise ship is due in Port today with 3500 passengers arriving at 9am and leaving at 5pm from the Marco Polo Cruise Terminal.

For more on the Cruise Ship season, click here

Shale Gas Concerns Stronger Than Ever

Public consultations are over but you can still have your say on shale gas development.

The provincial government released 116 recommendations on shale gas to help ease people's concerns about safety but anti-shale gas activist Greg Cook tells CHSJ news those concerns are as strong as ever.

Cook says a labour report in the United States recently says that shale gas, of all industries has the highest accident rate.

The main concern remains that fracturing the rock will release methane into wells and contaminate drinking water. Federal NDP leader Thomas Mulcair also claims the chemicals used in fracking contain carcinogens.

The government is still looking for your views until September 18th.

Teach Health & Life Skills In Schools

As the provincial government prepares their new health care strategy, a nurse who sees health first hand says we need to get back to the basics.

Shannon Robertson, a nurse at New Brunswick Heart Centre, says community and health professionals need to work together for a healthy future. She tells CHSJ news it starts with the kids.

"Children are our next generation, they need to know whats going on. And we're doing the best we can, but we need the collaboration of everybody."

Robertson says kids need to be taught health and physical education and life strategies in general, and that can be taught through education and in the community.

Health Minister Madeleine Dubé says New Brunswick is "the unhealthiest province in Canada", spending $8.6 million dollars a day in health care costs. The provincial government is currently drafting a new health care plan for December, taking in people's concerns and comments on how to improve our health system.

A Bleak Assessment From City Finance Commissioner

Cities are dying because of a lack of revenue.........This claim being made by City Finance Commissioner Greg Yeomans who's calling for a better way of funding municipalities because what's in place now isn't working.
 
Yeomans says cities only receive 8 per cent of the total pot of tax dollars with the federal and provincial governments dividing up the other 92 per cent.

He adds if the energy hub developed the way people had hoped with the prospect of a second oil refinery in Mispec, the city would have received half a million dollars in more tax revenue but would have to spend 1.2 billion dollars to upgrade the infrastructure.
 
Even with the gas tax money that came back to the city did so with strings attached because it had to be spent, as Yeomans puts it, on "new stuff", not what was already on the ground. 

A Bar Brawl and A Robbery Over The Weekend

City police kept busy over the weekend with a number of people facing charges.
 
Just after 2am Sunday, officers got the call to break a brawl at a East side bar where one person was sent to hospital to be checked out and four men in their 20's and 30's are facing charges.

A short while later a man was robbed and injured at Charlotte and Union.   A man in his 30's made a court appearance on a charge of robbery with violence.

Yesterday, a man in his 40's twice refused a breathalyser, once early in the morning in a car and again last night while on a lawn tractor.

The East Saint John man is being held until a bail hearing.

Give Blood and Get Dessert

Starting tomorrow, when you give blood, you can fill that dessert craving at the same time.


Canadian Blood Services is hosting its Strawberry Shortcake clinic this week.


Michelle Thibodeau-Coates of CBS tells CHSJ News before giving blood you should be well hydrated with non-caffeinated beverages like juice and water.

She says you also want make sure you have had enough to eat before donating adding often hospital appointments require you to fast but they want you to do the opposite and eat.

To make an appointment, click here

Man Assaulted & Robbed on Union Street

A Saint John man was assaulted and robbed early this morning on Union Street.

Saint John City Police tell CHSJ news the 29 year old man was walking when a 35 year old man robbed him of his cash.

Police say the suspect was later arrested in a cab on King Street. The victim received minor injuries.

World Acadian Congress Receives $2 Million

The provincial government supplying a good chunk of change towards the 2014 World Acadian Congress.

Two million dollars will be given to the congress that brings Acadian from around the world together for family reunions, conferences, and performances.

The event is held every five years and lasts from two to three weeks in northwestern New Brunswick, parts of Maine and Quebec.

Economic Development Minister Paul Robichaud says the provincial government plans to take advantage of the congress to promote the province as a tourist and cultural destination as well as a place to do business.

Bikers Can Refresh On Safety Tips

With summer season in full force, motorcycles are in abundance across the province. And whether your a new or novice rider, it's never a bad idea to refresh yourself on some safe driving tips.

Gearing Up is a motorcycle training class offered from Safety Services New Brunswick, specializing in different areas of safety.

Bill Walker from the training program tells CHSJ news driving a motorcycle is not an intuitive skill, it has to be taught.

"Anybody can get on a motorcycle, twist throttle make it go apply the breaks to make it stop, but there are some concepts that aren't intuitive. That includes emergency breaking, collision avoidance and counter steering."

Walker adds out of the forty years the 21 hour class has been taught they've had very few fatalities from graduates.

Classes run from April until late fall in nine different locations across the province.

For more information, click here.

Canada Hockey Tournament/Fundraiser In Town

You can get a free game of ball hockey today plus help your food bank.

Five Hole For Food is inviting Saint Johnner's to bring their hockey sticks and food donations to Smythe Street by Harbour Passage trail. Today is Five Hole For Food's fourth stop on their coast to coast venture to play ball hockey and raise 100,000 pounds of food in communities across Canada.

Founder Richard Loat tells CHSJ news this is their third annual tour.

"It's just exciting to be back on the road, to put on these drop in games for everyone to participate in."

Loat adds out of the 13 stops last year, Saint Johnner's raised the second highest amount of food. The fundraiser takes place from 3 o'clock until 7pm.

For more information on Five Hole for Food, click here.

Large Rock Smashes Woman's Face & Windshield

Rothesay Regional Police are looking for your help after a giant rock smashed a women's car windshield and face.

Police say the 64-year old woman was heading North bound on Route 111 towards the Rothesay Fire Station at around 3:20 yesterday afternoon when a large rock bounced off an  dump truck heading South.

The rock that Police describe as "bigger than a baseball, but smaller than a volleyball" then broke her windshield and hit her in the face, resulting in deep cuts on her hands, blood on her face, and a possible broken jaw.

The incident occurred near the Rothesay Baseball field.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Rothesay Regional Police.

Parent Locked Out Of Underage Party

A parent being locked out of their home after an underage house party got out of control.

Saint John City Police tell CHSJ news they responded to two house parties full of underage drinkers on Duke Street and Ocean West Way near Manawagonish road.

Police warn that when once a party announcement is made on social media like Facebook, parties can easily have a large group of unexpected guests.

Multiple charges were made for underage drinking.

1 Year Since Oland Murder

One year ago tomorrow Saint John being shaken by the murder of the son of a Maritime dynasty....on July 7, 2012 Richard Oland was murdered in his uptown office by an unknown attacker. The police have been notoriously tight-lipped about the investigation, which Police Chief Bill Reid has said is ongoing. Rumours have abounded after searches conducted in wooded areas, as well as at the home of his son, Dennis Oland.

In June Provincial Court Judge Leslie Jackson ruled to keep the search warrants in the case sealed to avoid compromising the investigation. Another hearing will be held later this month with police evidence from Constable Bob Davidson.

The family recently  releasing a statement remembering Oland as a father, husband and friend.

Unemployment Rate Down In City

Unemployment last month in Saint John dropped from 8.2 in May to 7.8 per cent. The jobless rate for the province has gone up from 9.4 to 9.5 per cent.

The unemployment rate across the country fell in June from 7.3 to 7.2 per cent with the addition of 73 hundred jobs which is considered minimal. Ontario was the only province showing any significant job gains.
 
A survey of employers this week found 40 per cent expected to hire fulltime workers in the second half of this year. That compares to 43 per cent for the same period last year.

Boil Water Order From City

A broken water main near the intersection of Sandy Point Road and Thornborough Street prompting the city issuing a boil water order.

Some homes will have either low water pressure or no water at all as repairs are carried out.

People who live on Sandy Point Road between Hawthorne Avenue and MacLaren Boulevard will have to boil their water before drinking it but not including Parkwood Avenue.

Also affected by the boil water order are the people who live along Thornborough Street, Jack Street, Kelly Lane, Anglin Drive including Anglin Crescent and Pidgeon Street, Kiwanis Court, Corkery Street and Cranston Avenue between Sixth Street and Thornborough.

The boil order is expected to be in effect until early next week.

The water is safe to use for showers, baths and to wash dishes without having to boiling it.

Concerns Over Air Ambulance Service To Grand Manan

The Alward Government being accused of playing Russian roulette with the lives of people who live on Grand Manan.

The charge is being made by Liberal M-L-A Rick Doucet of Charlotte-The Isles about the change with air ambulance service.

Doucet tells CHSJ News the provincial government's contract with Atlantic Charter expired July 1st and the island is now being served by Ambulance New Brunswick's Air Care plane which has to fly in from Moncton. He warns the plane will find it difficult to land at times because of poor weather conditions especially when Grand Manan is shrouded in fog.

Doucet argues Atlantic Charter is based on the ground in Grand Manan and just last week an Air Care plane was unable to land because of poor weather conditions.

Big $ For The New Y From Their Own

Some large cheques announced for the new Y project in the North end and from some of their own.
 
The Y's men's club announcing $500,000 for the project.
Chuck Crawford tells CHSJ News their 50-member group debated on a donation of this size.

He says when you look at the fact that the Y and its board had the courage to put the building in a community with children in need they the Y's mens club had to support them.

The Y's Endowment Fund also announcing $275, 000 for the new Y in the North end.

Design For New Y Unveiled

The look and feel of the new Y coming to the Crescent Valley being revealed to an audience of the group's supporters.
President and CEO Shilo Boucher says they expect shovels in the ground by January of next year.

Boucher tells us the building will include an indoor walking track, three pools along with a day care on Churchill Boulevard.

She says they are not only building a building but providing programs, training for employment and jobs and the community is really excited. 

The new North End Y is estimated to cost more than 20 million dollars.

Free Tunes And Fun At Uptown Festival

The Port City's own Salty Jam is kicking off for another summer. Uptown will be echoing with free live acts on the Boardwalk Stage and ticketed shows in the Moose Light Tent on Water Street. Hardman Group Property Manager Heather Peterson tells CHSJ News there's going to be a quirky array of live entertainment on the boardwalk--including one childhood favourite: Fred Penner.

Other acts include Ben Caplan (whose voice Peterson says "gave her goosebumps," O'Leary's OPen Mic fixture Brett Mason, Sandy Mackay, the Depp Dark Woods, and much more.

There's no age restriction on the free Boardwalk shows so be sure to bring the whole family. For more information, click here

The Google Doodle Is A Huge Hit

Being a google doodle is doing wonders for provincial tourism.

Since the Hartland Covered Bridge got the global honour, people have been eagerly searching all things NB.

The tourism department confirms to CHSJ News that yesterday's Google Doodle resulted in 5 times the normal traffic to the provincial tourism site--40,000 visits compared to 8,000 visits the day before on Tuesday.

For more info on Tourism in New Brunswick, click here

Horses Allegedly Abused Near Geary

A horse allegedly left out in the heat over the long weekend without food or water will be allowed to stay with its owner for now. That from Constable Yann Ardoux of the RCMP, who says they're investigating the alleged animal cruelty.

Ardoux tells CHSJ News a number of other agencies have gotten involved to check on the welfare of the animal, including the SPCA and a veterinarian.
 
According to reports the horse was left out in a field near Geary and seemed to be suffering from dehydration. The RCMP are still investigating. 

The above photo of the horse in question was sent in to the CHSJ Newsroom by a concerned citizen. 

Peer 126 Counsellor Speaks From Experience

A City man is using his mental health challenges to help others.

In high school, Derek Haines was struggling with turbulence in his family life when mental health issues surfaced. 

Haines tells us he was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and his life became a series of hospital visits, strained relationships and lost possessions.

After several years in a group home and years spent rebuilding his self-esteem with lots of help from loved ones, social workers and doctors.

Haines  now lives with a roomate paying bills, rent and holding down a job as a counseller at Peer 126.  

Peers Engaged in Education and Recovery provides support to young people living with mental health issues at 126 Duke Street.

Jail Inmate Attacked

A inmate at a maximum-security jail in New Brunswick has been hospitalized after an assault.

The Atlantic Institution in Renous reports the man was attacked in the facility then taken to an outside hospital for treatment.

The case is being investigated by the RCMP and Correctional Services Canada.

Financial Abuse Of The Elderly Is Increasing

Armed with 350 thousand dollars, the New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes will embark on a three year campaign to education people in the province about elder abuse.

The Association's Executive-Director Micheal Keating tells CHSJ News financial abuse of seniors is on the rise.

Detecting physical abuse is easy but emotional abuse is alot harder and made more difficult because 85 per cent of seniors in nursing homes suffer from some form of dementia.

Keating says some of the money will be used to bring the people who work in nursing homes up to speed on what to look out for.

Peel Plaza Facing More Delays

More delays in the completion of the Peel Plaza Project....the police headquarters will not be ready for the force to move in until late summer. That from City Manager Bill Edwards, presenting a report to common council. Edwards says the contractors encountered a number of unforeseen delays which have continued to stall progress.

He said the full completion date was supposed to be March 2012, but obviously that hasn't been the case

Edwards says contractors ran into further delays on Union Street, where they found infrastructure in the ground that wasn't on any plan--- and was only discovered during the digging phase.

Richard Oland's Family Issues Statement

After a year of a closely guarded investigation by city police, the murder of Richard Oland remains shrouded in mystery

The Oland family, however, would like people to remember Dick Oland as a husband, father and a friend just shy of a year after the Saint John businessman's murder.

With the anniversary of Oland's death approaching on July 7th, the family has issued the following statement through its lawyer.

“It has been a difficult year as we come to terms with the loss of our husband, father and friend, Richard Oland.  We would like to thank everyone for their kinds words and support during this time.”  

Lawyer Bill Teed says the family will not be commenting any further.

Holder and Yeomans Duke It Out Over Tolls

Tourism Minister Trevor Holder is firing back at comments made to Common Council about tolls by City Finance Commissioner Greg Yeomans.

Yeomans recently saying he's "infuriated" tolls were taken off the Harbour Bridge but Holder says the people spoke loud and clear and the tolls had to be taken off.

"Let me be perfectly clear," says Holder. "We had a mandate from the people of Saint John in the previous provincial election.....to get a federal provincial agreement in place for the restoration of the bridge, and the removal of the tolls."

"We had a mandate from the people to do that and we kept our word. In my opinion, Mr. Yeomans should spend more time helping the new dynamic council of the City of Saint John and less time criticizing other levels of government because they kept their word to the people they represent."

Yeomans had said when tolls were in place, roads sustained more damage because some truckers would avoid paying by going over the Reversing Falls Bridge and through the uptown. Holder says that means Yeomans is saying two different things.

The Minister says while tolls aren't always a bad thing, in the case of the Harbour Bridge Saint Johners felt like second-class citizens.

Gas Prices On The Rise

Not a whole lot of change with gas prices after the weekly setting.

Self serve regular going up by a cent a litre and diesel rising by over 3 cents. 

Propane is just about the same and heating oil rising by 3 cents a litre.

Two Arrests Made For Car Break-Ins

City Police arresting a man and teenager early this morning for breaking into cars along Wright Street.   

Point Lepreau Gets New Safety Rating

Point Lepreau is one step closer to re-opening in the fall of 2012 with a satisfactory safety rating from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

NB Power reports the CNSC rating is in line with other Canadian nuclear power plants, and shows an improvement in Fire Protection and Emergency Management. The report also questioned how Canadian plants responded to the nuclear disaster in Japan last year--and concluded that all the reactors in this country are safe and do not pose a threat to the public.

The report will be presented at a public meeting on August 15th.

Hartland Bridge Is Google Doodle

When you go to Google a search today, you might want to take a second look at the doodle!

The drawing is of our very own Hartland Covered Bridge. Today marks the 111th anniversary of the iconic landmark that stretches over the Saint John River. The image shows the "Google" letters traveling through the bridge with the New Brunswick, Canada and UK flags over the entrance.

The search engine website changes it's 'doodle' daily to mark important events and anniversaries.

Barn Blaze In Kingston

No one was injured in a barn fire off Route 845 in Kingston. Fire officials responding to the call around 11pm last  night found a barn on fire on the rural road.

According to Corporal Pat Cole of the RCMP, a tractor, tents, a trailer and other equipment was inside. Cole says the blaze was accidental and they're not treating it as suspicious.

No word yet on the cost of the destroyed equipment.

VIDEO: Carnival Glory

Carnival Glory visits Saint John.

Vacant Lots Must Be Dealt With

It looks terrible...that from common councillor John MacKenzie on the state of abandoned lots in the city. MacKenzie had motioned common council make sure derelict lots are grassed over and made presentable--but that won't be happening quite yet. MacKenzie tells CHSJ News it's a simple fix to put in topsoil and grass seed, or at least pave them over properly. He says it's an ongoing problem that has left some neighbourhoods looking neglected.

Mayor Mel Norton saying more information has to be gathered because some of the properties don't belong to the city--and if they're on private land, they're not within the city's purview. In the end, council opted to gather more information.

Today a burned out building on Victoria Street North was demolished, and another will come down on Friday. Some concerned citizens have been using social media to voice worries no one will want to rebuild on the sites.

New Wheelchair Accessible Van Hitting The Streets

People with mobility impairments will have a better way of getting around town.

Right of Way Transit is providing a private wheelchair accessible van in and around Saint John. Jeff Sparks is one the partners in this project. He tells CHSJ news it provides more options for people with disabilities.


"It will allow them to receive on demand service at the point they need it without having to book 2-3 weeks in advance. It will also improve their quality of life."


Sparks adds the newly converted Dodge Grand Caravan will allow people to spend a night or early morning with friends when normal services are off the roads. The ride will be dispatched with Diamond Taxi.


For more information on Right of Way Transit, click here.

Explore Parks With A Pass

For $60 you can visit all nine provincial parks. It's called the Explorer Pass 2012, a card that will offer free admission, a round of golf or other perks.

 Culture, Tourism and Healthy Living Minister Trevor Holder hopes that regular park users will buy the pass and visit a park that they've never been to.

New Brunswick's provincial parks offer opportunities to camp, hike and be outdoors.

Deaf Voices Finally Heard

The deaf community in Saint John finally having their voices heard at the new Health Plan discussion. Hearing impaired Saint Johnner Wanda Berrette tells CHSJ news through an interpreter their #1 complaint is when they visit the ER.

"We'll say to them can you please call in an interpreter? And then we sit there for 45 minutes to an hour just to go into triage because they don't want to call an interpreter. They have a list at the hospital, but they never look at it, they use that list."

Berrette adds it's been difficult to give their input when health surveys are held over the phone. She says the deaf community is often told to lip read or get a family member to translate, but that kind of communication is difficult and often falsely translated.

City Finance Commissioner Likes Tolls To Pay For Roads

City Finance Commissioner Greg Yeomans is frustrated over roads around town.

The state of roads, according to surveys, is uppermost in the minds of Saint Johnners.

Yeomans is not opposed to tolls to help pay for the upkeep of roads. He points out one loaded 18 wheeler is the equivalent of 96 hundred cars in terms of wear and tear and the city is saddled with the cost of maintenance with no way to generate revenue to pay for it.
 
Yeomans concedes when there were tolls on the Harbour Bridge, some truckers would try to avoid paying by going over the Reversing Falls Bridge and through the uptown.
 
Nonetheless, Yeomans says he was infuriated when the tolls were removed.

Garbage Collector Fined In Death Of Worker

Dominion Refuse handed a fine of 35 thousand dollars for the death of one of its workers.

25 year old Adam Wade Harris of the St. George area was after a large bin that was being dumped into the back of a garbage truck at Blacks Harbour somehow went sideways and struck him.

In the aftermath of Harris's death, Work Safe NB ordered the bin locking mechanism at the back of the truck be repaired, training for workers in the safe dumping of bins as well as for the operators who hoist the bins into the garbage trucks.

Arrests Made In North End Assault

City Police report a man was roughed up in the north end. 

Two underage teens find themselves arrested and looking at possible charges of assault causing bodily harm.

Parking Changes Could Be Afoot

It's a quality of life issue--that from Mayor Mel Norton about the accessibility of parking between uptown's business and residential districts. Common Council discussing the possibility of May to November parking on both sides of King Street East.

Mayor Mel Norton tells CHSJ News he doesn't buy that changing parking on King Street East would become a slippery slope--because King Street East is uniquely suited to the mpve, and other streets would have to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Councillor Shirley McAlary agreeing with Norton--while Councillor Donna Reardon said parking is a delicate balance with which we should not tinker.

Health Minister Pulls No Punches On How Unhealthy We Are

New Brunswick is the unhealthiest province in Canada, that coming from Health Minister Madelaine Dube.  She hosted a public meeting with Saint Johnners to hear their suggestions for the new health plan. 

Right now the province is facing problems with obesity, smoking, chronic disease and an aging population. And at 8.6 million dollars which is spent each day on health care, Dube tells CHSJ news we need to work together to find a new strategy to deal with these problems without going broke.

"We need to make some changes within the system to make sure we have better outcomes. Right now it's not a little investment, it's the outcomes we don't have compared to the level of funding we're providing."

The suggestions include early health education for children, electronic medical records to help with various medical visits and more after hours primary care.

This is the first time public meetings have been held to generate a new health plan which is expected by the end of the year. 




 Video courtesy of the Government of New Brunswick.