Can I Afford It??

[Mayor Murray Driscoll---File Photo]

Can I afford it? That is one of the questions being asked by many about the new nursing home in the Shannex complex in Quispamsis. Many are under the impression that the privately run companies rates will be too high for them to call home but Mayor Murray Driscoll tells CHSJ News, a partnership between the Province and Shannex has taken that worry out of the equation.
The first resident is expected to arrive at the new nursing home on Millenium Drive on the 21st.

M-L-A Stressing the Importance of Music and Physical Activity in Schools

[M-L-A Bev Harrison---File Photo]

Having music as part of the school curriculum is not a frill and there should be more emphasis on it according to longtime M-L-A and educator Bev Harrison. He tells CHSJ News, in the end, it's good for business as well.

Harrison, who was Principal at Saint John High at one time, maintains we have to educate, not only the mind, but also the soul. He argues, as well, that another area in which we have fallen behind is having enough phys ed in our schools.

Premier tours Construction activity on UNB Saint John campus

(photo courtesy of Sonya Gilks)

Principal of NBCC Saint John Diane Burt,  Saint John Mayor Ivan Court, Premier Shawn Graham and Vice-President UNB Saint John Robert MacKinnon.

Teams can still join the upcoming Street Hockey Tournament

Have you signed up a team yet for this years World Three on Three Hockey Tournament? If not, don't wait too much longer with the deadline coming up in two weeks. Spokes-person Christine Levesque tells CHSJ News, they haven't set a goal as to how much money they would like to raise:


Levesque adds so far, 45 teams are signed up for the adult division and the goal is for 40 teams in the new youth division. In the first two years of the event, $60,000 dollars has been raised for Mindcare.

To get your team signed up, go to www.sjstreethockey.com.

Minister Moore is keeping an eye on the Loonie

As the loonie continues to rise, so do fears of what it might do to the summer tourism season. Fundy Royal MP and Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism Rob Moore tells CHSJ News, one of the challenges is a rising dollar makes other markets more attractive for Canadians to visit:



Minister Moore says they are continuing the marketing effort that was underway before, during and after the Olympics to bring as many international visitors to the country as possible.

Graham Liberals will not support anti-bullying ammendment

The co-founder of an anti-bullying website is unhappy the Premier and his government refuse to support a bill that would provide greater protection to victims of bullying under the Education Act.
Shawn Graham described the ammendent as " totally flawed" in the legislature yesterday.


Rob Frennette of BullyingCanada.ca tells CHSJ News he has the support of the Leader of the Opposition David Alward.
Bill 52 would have included protection against bullying by including specifics acts such as teasing, social exclusion and threats.

The Opposition continues to hammer the Liberals over NB Power's future

The Conservatives continue to hammer away at the Graham government over the fate of N-B Power.

Tory leader David Alward tells CHSJ News the utility has been left drifting with the loss of some key senior management types while the government focused on its failed attempt to sell it to Hydro Quebec:


Alward says the Graham Liberals were so sure the deal would go through, they didn't care about what would take place in the future.

Alward says N-B Power has also been left vulnerable because it had to open its books to Hydro Quebec as that utility continues to try to seal a deal to sell power to Prince Edward Island.

A thrift Store in the Parkway Mall will close in a week

A city discount store is closing. The Salvation Army Thrift Store will be closing its Parkway Mall location at the end of the business on Friday April 16th.

Major Mike Leblanc of the Salvation Army says as their lease expires they are looking for a larger facility to give their customers more selection than they can offer in the present location.

The store has been in the Parkway mall for 5 years.
The Salvation Army also has a Thrift store at Landsdowne Place in the North end.

NB Power Rate increase will be reviewed

Electricity rates in the province will be going up by three per cent if NB Power has its way.
Interim President Gaeten Thomas says a cost-reduction program will be brought in by the end of June and includes reducing management and administration jobs by about 100. Thomas estimates this will save $20 million a year.
Opposition Leader David Alward questions why the rates have to go up at all.

The proposed sale of many of NB Power's assets to Hydro-Quebec was supposed to eliminate any increase and freeze rates for residential customers for five years but that deal fell apart last month.

Provincial Pay Equity coalition in jeopardy

Efforts to achieve pay equity for women in the province have taken a huge hit. That admission from Elizabeth Blaney, Vice President of the Coalition for Pay Equity in the province, at word the Harper Government is withdrawing its funding.

Blaney charges the decision is based more on ideology than on the value of the work that has been done by the Coalition which includes helping to get adoption of a law on pay equity in the provincial government.

Local ACAP pleased to know federal money is coming

Federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice has announced funding the Atlantic Coastal Action Programs.
The Executive Director of ACAP Saint John is pleased that Environment Canada has finally come to a decision on funding.
Tim Vickers tells CHSJ News there 16 ACAP sites across Atlantic Canada.

He says the program itself began here and in most centres back in 1991.
Vickers adds nationally there is some friction where other groups are surprised that Ottawa would give up power but, he says they have a great relationship with Environment Canada.

Police Called To Another Stabbing

Yet another stabbing in the city. This one was reported by a man in the north end. He claims to have been stabbed in an apartment on Elgin Street suffering a minor wound to the side of his head. The major crime unit is investigating.
Meantime, it wasn't hard for police to nab a drunk driver at the Garden Street Irving who rammed into a parked truck when apparently trying to light a cigarette. Police were inside the store when the collision happened.

Uptown Fire

Firefighters found heavy smoke, heat and fire when they were called to 64 Cobourg Stret in the uptown early this morning. District Chief Peter Saab says fire crews managed to contain the fire to the kitchen where they believe it began. The cause is under investigation.
The fire was contained for the most part to the kitchen but there was some smoke and water damage to the rest of the apartment. The people who live there were allowed back in despite the damage and there were no injuries.

Attempted Murder Trial Underway In Hampton

The attempted murder trial of a 55 year old man who was charged after a robbery at the Barnwood Pub last November continues today in Hampton. Adrienne Lepage earlier pleaded guilty to charges of robbery and abduction. A 22 year old woman, who was working at the Pub on the day of the holdup, testified about being robbed, abducted and threatened before abandoned in a gravel pit near Lepreau.

ACAP programs get federal funding

Atlantic Coastal Action Programs will receive their funding from Ottawa.

In a release, Environment Minsiter Jim Prentice says funding for conservation in the Atlantic region will remain the same but, changes have been made to bring it in line with other important ecosystems across the country.


This means a focus on issues including water quality and habitat.

War of Words over Harbour Bridge continues

The truce in the war of words over the Harbour Bridge called for by provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir has been shortlived if it existed at all. Saint John M-P Rodney Weston sees the Liberal Party ads on the bridge issue as a full frontal assault on him.
Premier Shawn Graham says Weston's name was never even mentioned in the ads.


Graham was in town to tour Simonds High and get a looksee at a pilot program in Health Care Sciences developed for students in Grades 11 and 12. The Premier calls it a model for the rest of the province.

New provincial law targets drinking not drunk drivers

New provincial legislation will make it tougher for those drivers who have been drinking but are not legally impaired. If they blow a warning on the breathalyser, they will lose their licenses for seven days instead of just 24 hours.


Sgt Evan Scott of the Rothesay Regional Police tells CHSJ News this is a step in the right direction but he would also like to see some accountability tied in as well.


Scott says the insurance companies don't know that their insurer has been stopped and issued a 24-hour suspension so they are not adjusting their rates accordingly.


Sgt Scott maintains your reaction time behind the wheel is slower regardless of how much or little you've had to drink and he says the number of reports police receive of impaired drivers is skyrocketing.

Federal funding for Symphony NB

250 thousand dollars in federal money has landed in the lap of Symphony New Brunswick. 170 thousand of that is coming from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. Symphony President Dr. Tom Condon says the funding is earmarked for hiring more professional musicians.


Saint John M-P Rodney Weston sees this funding as an investment in the provincial economy.  Dr. Condon reports the symphony is in excellent financial shape with its Endowment fund estimated at 700 thousand dollars and growing.

Province signs $580 million dollar deal for Highway expansion

The province has signed a $580 million dollar deal that includes the Mackay Highway being expanded to six lanes.
It also includes the construction of the last 55 kilometres of four-lane highway on Route 1 from Waweig to St. George.

The Department of Transportation says in terms of value, it's the largest highway project in the province's history.
Dexter Developer General Partnership says the project will provide 900 jobs over 4100 months mostly for New Brunswickers.
Premier Shawn Graham, Transportation Minister Denis Landry and Charlotte the Isles MLA Rick Doucet all attended today's announcement.

Gas Prices Rise In Saint John

A big jump in the price of self serve regular after the weekly setting. It rose by more than 3 cents a litre and is being sold in the city for $104.1. The maximum that can be charged is 106.7. Diesel also went up but not by as much and is going for $104.8 a litre around town. Furnace oil is also more expensive at 92.4 cents a litre but there has been another decline in the price of propane which is listed at $103.2.