Regional To Open 7th Operating Room

This might make a dent in the waitlist for surgeries.....the Regional will open a new operating room this fall.

Health Minister Madeleine Dube says opening an additional operating room will improve surgical services by increasing access, decreasing wait-times and ensure teaching and training can continue.

Over 8,000 surgical procedures were completed at the Regional last year.

The new operating room is scheduled to open October 1st.

Take Back The Night Tonight

Take Back the Night is all about empowering women and helping them feel safe from sexual violence...and tonight all women are invited to participate in a candlelight vigil in King Square.

Organizer Sharon Amirault tells CHSJ News Saint John isn't the most dangerous city by any means, but women still need to be careful.

Survivors of sexual violence will speak and a video will be shown at the candlelight ceremony, which starts at 8. Everyone will then make their way to the Community Health Center for a reception.

Atlantic Roller Derby Championships This Weekend

It's not your mother' roller derby....the Atlantic Roller Derby Championships coming to town this weekend features some serious women athletes. Organizer Sherry Curry tells CHSJ News teams like the Razor Girls and Scarlet Swarm will face off all weekend at the LBR--and they're hoping for a good turnout.


Roller Derby is a relatively young sport in Atlantic Canada, but it's been growing in popularity among women elsewhere in Canada for many years. This is the first Atlantic Canadian tournament that's being held in Saint John.

NBers Could Get Coverage For Quitting Smoking

A whopping 20% of the population in New Brunswick smokes...and the provincial Lung Association is calling on the government to earmark some money in the budget to fix that.

NB Lung Association Barbara McKinnon tells CHSJ News every province except New Brunswick and PEI have support for smokers who are trying to quit, despite that we have higher rates of smoking.

The association wants to see the price of cigarettes go up by 30 cents a carton to help fund coverage for smoking cessation. It's estimated it would cost just half a million dollars annually.

Parrott Could Become "Lightning Rod For Dissent"

There's a lot of speculation about what's next for Fundy River Valley MLA Dr Jim Parrott after he was kicked out the caucus for criticising his own party on health care.

UPEI Political Science professor Dr. Don Desserud calls Parrott's ouster "yet another example of the colourful nature of New Brunswick politics." He tells CHSJ News Dr Parrott could now become a lightning rod for dissent against the government's policy toward medical services.

Desserud believes the Liberals would love to land Dr. Parrott who has also been very critical of past Liberal governments on health care. Desserud says he's an independent sort who may not be all that bothered sitting as an independent.

Grits Won't Welcome Parrott

Dr. Jim Parrott would not be welcomed into the Liberal fold now that he's persona non grata with the Conservative government.

Interim Leader Victor Boudreau says they would not take him because his views differ with Liberal values.
Boudreau tells CHSJ News the situation with Dr. Parrott flies in the face of David Alward's promises in the 2010 campaign to be open, transparent and to consult.

He says Dr. Parrott had to go to those lengths just to get his voice heard by his own leader.

Boudreau says many current Tory MLA's and longtime conservatives are unhappy with the Premier's current direction for government.

Van Rollover On West Side

One woman taken to hospital late yesterday afternoon after her van left Bay Street near Centracare and rolled over down an embankment into the water. 

The Environment Department was called in to check for any contamination.

Has The Bacchus Motorcycle Gang Moved East?

A concern from a man in East Saint John about the Bacchus Motorcycle Club relocating on Thomas Road near Simonds High has been passed on to City Manager Pat Woods by a member of Common Council. 

The city's bylaw enforcement officer will investigate whether it's true or not. 

The Bacchus vacated its clubhouse on Pitt Street after the shooting death of a man in mid July followed by an inspection by the city which cited several building code violations.

East Siders Have Their Say On City Services

The final ward meeting held last night on the east side with 50 per cent of the people who attended saying they're satisfied with the fire service.....47 per cent with policing.....43 per cent with their drinking water......44 per cent with garbage collection but only 19 per cent with the condition of roads.
 
Ward 4 Councillor Ray Strowbridge tells CHSJ News he wasn't surprised by any of the results but there's only so much money you can put into roads.


One woman suggested weekly garbage pickup in the summer when temperatures rise.

Strowbridge says most people want city services delivered in a different way but it's not clear what is mean't by that because there are no specifics.

Common Council Talks About Sensitive Financial Issue

Common Council meeting behind closed doors late yesterday afternoon on what was described as a sensitive financial issue with liability for the city but Mayor Mel Norton wouldn't confirm or deny it was about what to do next with the city's financially beleagurered pension plan. 

Thje Mayor telling reporters it would be inappropriate for him to comment about what happened during Committee of the Whole.

Ward 2 Councillor Susan Fullerton left the meeting not looking all that happy.

Sea Dogs Home Opener

Liberals Not Surprised At Parrott Ouster

The Province's liberal opposition is not surprised to hear of Jim Parrot's ouster from the Tory caucus but Interim Leader Victor Boudreau says he would not be welcomed by the Liberals because he doesn't represent the values of the party.
 
Miramichi MLA Bill Fraser says he finds it ironic to hear Premier David Alward talk of trust and respect.

Fraser charges Alward has lied time and time again to the people in the province on many issues adding he has the nerve to says he's kicking Dr. Parrott out of caucus.

Fraser says the Premier has lost all respect of the voters over issues like the catastrophic drug program and free votes in the legislature and even many Conservative M-L-A's are not hapy with his leadership style.

The Premier says it was a unanimous decision of the caucus to remove Dr. Parrott, whom he accuses of taking "cheap shots". Dr. Parrot will now sit as an Independent in the provincial legislature and vows his political career isn't over. 
 
Dr. Parrott is a former heart surgeon who was elected in 2010 in the riding of Fundy-River Valley.

Harper's Summer Popularity Will "Evaporate," Says May

When Green MP Elizabeth May comes to Fredericton this weekend she'll be standing with the provincial Greens against fracking...but May also has a few choice words about a recent Canadian Press Harris Decima poll that put support for the Tories at 34%, or 7 points ahead of the NDP.

May tells CHSJ News he excepts Harper's summer popularity to plummet after his government introduces a second omnibus budget bill based on the March 2012 budget.

May will speak Saturday at an anti-fracking rally in front of the leg. For more information about her visit, click here.

Dairytown Teen Facing 7 Charges

18-year-old Thomas Doiron of Sussex is facing 7 charges after a truck was stolen from a parking lot in Dairytown.
 
The truck went missing from the Park Street lot and 10 minutes later a RCMP officer found that stolen truck crashed in a ditch in Norton.  

Doiron was found soon after in the woods nearby.  The charges he faces include theft of a motor vehicle, impaired driving and damage to property.

After waiving his right to a bail hearing, Doiron was remanded into custody and is due back in court on the 27th to enter a plea.  

Green Events In Freddy This Weekend

It's going to be a big weekend for the provincial Green party...the Greens are choosing their new leader Saturday as well as hosting some eco-friendly events. 

Green party action organizer Sharon Murphy tells CHSJ News it's going to be an especially exciting race. It's between David Coon and Roy McMullin, both of whom have been heavily involved in the local environmental scene for decades.

A "meet the candidates" event will run the Cedar Cafe in Fredericton from 7 to 10pm Friday. Green MP Elizabeth May will also be in town to offer a keynote address and participate in an anti-fracking demonstration in front of the provincial legislature. The leadership convention will be held at the Fredericton convention center.  

For a full schedule of events click here

Man Facing Assault Charge

A 19 year old man is facing an assault causing bodily harm charge after a stabbing incident on the lower west side.

It happened just after 4pm yesterday near the intersection of Winslow and Watson streets.

The man pleading not guilty in court and will remain in custody until a bail hearing on Monday.

The 20 year old victim of the stabbing remains in stable condition in hospital.

Shop 'Till You Drop At Fashion Forward

If you enjoy a little "retail therapy", Uptown Saint John is hosting the the perfect night for you....the annual Fashion Forward event is happening on October 4th. It's a Gallery Hop style event where boutiques will host special promotions and events as shoppers make their way around the uptown streets.

Tracy Hanson tells CHSJ News it's all about treating yourself, whether that means taking in live models and appetizers or simply window shopping.

The first 100 shoppers at Fashion Forward will get a free swag bag.  Over 20 shops will be participating from 5-9pm.

Gala Event At Imperial Theatre

The Imperial theatre celebrating one of its own with a brand new award called "The Show Must Go On" Award. This year's inaugural recipient will be outgoing General Manager Peter D. Smith. 

Executive Director S.G. Lee tells CHSJ News after nearly 20 years, it's time to start recognizing some major contributors who were there from the theatre's inception.

The theme of this year's "The Show Must Go On" Award is the Scottish highlands. Cocktails and a sit-down dinner will be served at the ceremony on October 12. Tickets are $150 each with a charitable donation receipt of $75. They can be purchased online at www.imperialtheatre.nb.ca, at the Box Office, or by calling 674-4100.

ESJ To Help Entrepreneurs Boost Their Businesses

Entrepreneurs with struggling businesses are getting help from a new program from Enterprise Saint John.
 
Participants in the Kickstart your Business program will get the benefit of 400 years of combined business expertise from the volunteer advisors taking part.
 
Janet Scott tells CHSJ News the participants will meet every two weeks for two and a half hours over a six month period.

There is also a 1 day retreat and the advisors give 2-3 hours a week but the program also includes a social media component where the entrepreneurs can post a question on a LinkedIn forum and any or all of the expert advisors can answer that question.

The program begins next Wednesday for 6 months.
For more info, click here

New Inquest Begins In Smith's Death

An inquest about Ashley Smith, a young Moncton woman, who choked herself to death in an Ontario jail, gets a fresh start today. 
Those involved hope it will shed light on the treatment of mentally ill people in custody.  

Kim Pate of the Elizabeth Fry Societies in Canada says everyone should be concerned about how many young people might become another Ashley Smith.

She says nothing will bring Ashley back but the hope is that the inquest will prevent future deaths like this.

Ashley Smith was 19 when she died nearly five years ago at the Grand Valley Institution for Women in Kitchener, Ontario. 

She had spent most of the last year of her life in segregation.