Two Dead In House Fire

A deadly house fire near Oromocto has left two people dead.

Officials are investigating the incident that occurred near yesterday morning on Highway 102 in the Burton-area. The victims are a 61 year old woman and her 88 year old father. Their names have not been released. The Fire chief believes cigarettes were the cause. The fire began in the women's room. Autopsies are scheduled for today.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but officials say foul play is not suspected at this time.

Doubts In Heritage Financial Support

Saint John has one of the largest inventories of heritage buildings of any city in the country with 770 properties holding the heritage designation. 90 thousand dollars worth of grants were handed out last year to heritage property owners but Chief City Planner Ken Forrest is expressing doubt whether that level of support can continue considering the financial realities today.

"So we have a significant number of designated properties, and we have challenges with respect to meeting the needs of those properties with the resourcing that's available. So those are our challenges."

Forrest says the new Common Council will have to figure out what the right level of regulation should be.

Canadians Optimistic On Economy

A Canada Day study done by the Bank of Montreal shows we are an optimistic lot about our future economic prospects. Paul Taylor is Chief Investment Officer with B-M-O Harris Private Banking and he tells CHSJ News 83% of us are proud of how this country's economy has performed.

"Half of Canadians expect their investment portfolios to grow by Canada Day 2013, which is kind of interesting given the mackerel head winds we see out there in the financial press."

Taylor is surprised at the level of optimism which hasn't been dampened by the cutbacks announced of late by the Harper Government.

Pollution In Fundy Better & Worse

There's been a significant reduction with large industrial debris (such as styrofoam, large pieces of pipe and nets) in the Bay of Fundy, so says Fundy Bay Keeper Matt Abbott. The Bay Keeper has been keeping the waters of Fundy clean since 2003. He tells CHSJ news there's still problems with ocean acidification, nets and rope garbage and waste from salmon aquaculture, but he's seen some major clean up of the Saint John sewer system.

"We've got a long, long way to go but at the same time there's a lot of people working on this and we certainly hope we can continue to harness that energy and keep our Bay vibrant and give it it's best shot against these big changes that are coming down the pipe."

Abbott would like to see more clean up of municipal waste, which overloads and spills into the Bay during heaving rain. He adds that his advocacy works has paid off, finding that many people bring waste to shore.

The Bay Keeper patrols the Fundy coastline from Alma to St. Stephen.

Skin Cancer Rising In NB

The provinces Chief Medical Officer of Health is warning New Brunswickers' to take care when in the sun. Doctor Eilish Cleary tells CHSJ news the number of skin cancer cases in the province is increasing.

"We had over a 100 cases in 2000, and a 168 cases in 2009, so it is an issue which can cause serious illness and death."

Cleary adds tanning and sun exposure also ages skin. She advises people to avoid sun rays when they're highest between midday and 4:00pm, to wear a hat and loose clothing, and most importantly... put sunscreen on before exposure. She says children and people with fair skin are most at risk.

The province introduced voluntary tanning guidelines two years ago including an age limit of 18 and limiting of one tan every 48 hours.

Qplex Gets Into 'Disney' Character

Disney Themes and Canada flags will take over the Qplex today. Promotions Manager Aaron Kennedy tells CHSJ news there will be bands, cake, games a t-shirt toss and more.

"Canada Day in Quispamsis has always been a big day for families and friends to get together, they'll be lots of Disney princesses and characters."

Kennedy adds the Qplex has an advantage... if the weather is bad all outdoor events can be moved inside. The Qplex festivities will take place from 12 until 5 today.

VIDEO: People Parade

Video of the Canada Day People Parade in Uptown, Saint John.

Bring Out The Maple! Happy Canada Day, SJ!

Canada Day day is here!!! This morning in Uptown Saint John King Street is busy from top to bottom with a flea market featuring everything from ethnic foods, crafts to nick knacks.

People Parade will kick off from Kings Square at 11, followed by flag raising at City Hall and a Skateboard Competition at Noon at the Skate Park.

Fireworks are at 10:15 tonight.

For a full schedule of events, click here.

Happy Canada Day, Saint Andrews!

Saint Andrews by the Sea is celebrating Canada Day in true maritime style. The village hosting a parade, antique car show, sunrise ceremony, dog show and more. 

Deputy Mayor Cate Agaki tells CHSJ news Canada Day is a big deal in Saint Andrews--and the village goes all out with day-long events, a parade and more. She also says there will be a surprise after the fireworks finish up--but you'll have to come out and see what it is for yourself.

For a full schedule of Canada Day events in Saint Andrews, click here

Happy Canada Day, Sussex!

Dairytown planning some celebrations fit for a Queen this Canada Day....the Diamond Jubilee themed festivities include a parade, live entertainment, a talent show, and some lean, mean vintage machines from throughout the region.

Community services director Jason Thorne tells CHSJ News the antique car show will be better than ever this year because they're cooperating with the same people who do the famous Balloon Fiesta car show.

For a complete schedule of Canada Day events in Sussex, click here

No Vacancy: City Lock Up Full

The Saint John Detention Centre is full. Something some Saint John City Police say they've never seen. Police tell CHSJ news the full-house comes after a night full of fights, assaults, and breathalyzers. Many of the arrests were made around the Market Square Boardwalk. One man is facing charges causing bodily harm after a domestic incident near King Square. Police will have extra officers on deck for the long-weekend as part of their Bar Safety patrol. Overflow of people arrested will be sent to Hampton Jail.

Hiring For New Blood Services Call Centre Next Year

Hiring is expected to start next spring by Canadian Blood Services for its new contact centre to be located in its building on University Avenue and renovations alone will cost from 2 to 2 and a half million dollars.


That estimate from Chief Operating Officer Ian Mumford who says 16 to 20 people are expected to be working there by July of next year with 50, including five registered nurses, taking calls from across the country by July of 2014.



Mumford says Canadian Blood Services did not receive any money from the province. Blood product will be stored in the building and blood will still be collected there.

Finley In SJ To Give The Scoop On EI Changes

Federal Human Resources Minister Diane Finley in town today  as she wrapped up a whirlwind tour of Atlantic Canada. The Minister addressing widespread concerns about proposed changes to the EI program, which many have worried will have a negative impact on seasonal workers.

Finley tells CHSJ news the changes aren't going to hurt those workers as some believe. She says if you're looking for work in the off season and can't find it, EI will still be there for you. But if you're laid off in the off-season, she says there will be "incentives" to get you back out working again.


While the changes haven't been entirely finalized, she says one that will be effective in August is allowing part-time workers to keep 50 cents on every dollar they make instead of having it clawed back.

Whirligigs Galore All Summer

If you're looking for something different to do this Canada Day weekend - the Whirligigs exhibits may just be the answer.
The Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton and Kingsbrae Garden in St Andrews have various pieces of the wind driven whirligigs artwork by Atlantic Canadian artists on display from now until September 15th.
Locally - Chas MacKay is one of the artists contributing to the display.
The Kingsbrae Garden exhibit opened earlier this month while the Beaverbrook Art Gallery held it's official opening of the exhibit last night.
Acadia Broadcasting Limited - the parent company of Country 94 and 97.3 the Wave - is a proud sponsor of the exhibits.

Countryfest Is Set To Rock The qplex

Kevin Chase and Mike Biggar fans can get their fix at a brand new music event in the Valley this weekend.
Countryfest is an all day concert at the qplex, a first for the venue.
 
Marketing and Promotions Manager Aaron Kennedy tells CHSJ News they will also have food on site.

He says it's all a beer garden and will be held on the arena floor inside the qplex.
He adds people will be protected from the elements rain or shine.   

Countryfest begins at 4pm tomorrow at the qplex. 

For ticket info, click here

Insurance Industry Appears Happy With Proposed Changes

Balanced and well reasoned........That's how Bill Adams of the Insurance Bureau of Canada describes the provincial government's proposed changes to auto insurance.

Adams likes the idea of having a list of minor injuries because it gives greater clarity on what constitutes a minor injury.

Adams did not criticise the proposed increase in the minor injury cap from 25 hundred to 75 hundred dollars.

He does say it will take some time and alot of actuarial number crunching before it's determined the effect the changes would have on what you pay for auto insurance.

National Mental Health Strategy Unveiled

The National Mental Health Commission did exhaustive research in creating "Changing Directions Changing Lives" to create a mental health strategy for the entire country.

The new national approach and provincial mental health action plan share common ground on how to best provide help to those with mental health.
 
Provincial Health Minister Madeline Dube was in town today at Mental Health Recovery Services on Duke Street.

Dube tells CHSJ News it's a great example of what we need as they provide people with health assistance and support in getting a job and a home.

She says it's huge because people have a central place to come and work on the recovery side and have quality of life and this is what we want.

Dr. David Goldblum of the Mental Health Commission of Canada says they want to continue the dialogue on improving mental health care for everyone here and across the country.

A Change Of Plan For Canadian Blood Services

Canadian Blood Services describe it it as an enhanced role for the province in the national blood system as it announces the establishment of its second contact centre at its building on University Avenue which will, by July of 2014, have 50 people, including 5 registered nurses taking calls about blood from across the country 7 days a week.

The blood agency had been talking about putting the building up for sale.

Chief Operating Officer Ian Mumford also says the blood itself will be kept there right across from the Regional Hospital. He believes that short proximity will allay the fears of the medical community about running short. In any event, Mumford says performance will be tracked with benchmarks and the results of how it's working will be transparent.

Happy Canada Day, Saint John!

Most of us are counting down the hours to the long weekend--and uptown Saint John is playing host to some major celebrations this year. 

The Market Square Boardwalk is in the middle of 145 hours of performances to celebrate Canada's 145th anniversary. Stephany Peterson of the Hardman Group tells CHSJ News a slew of bands will be playing including headliners Hawksley Workman, Mother Mother, and country and folk acts.

The Canada Day fireworks start July 1 on the boardwalk at 10:15pm. 

For a full schedule click here

Morrisdale Crash Update

No one was seriously hurt after a head-on crash on Route 102 in Morrisdale. Constable. Jason Myatt tells CHSJ news a woman was treated for minor injuries at the hospital and later released.

The crash happening around 5pm yesterday. Traffic was backed up in both directions for a significant amount of time.