Economic Growth Report Results

A report conducted by CIBC on the state of provincial economys shows the Maritimes will unlikely repeat the success of 2009.

The report states economic growth in the Maritimes will not like outperform other provinces like it did weathering the economic downturn, and any gains will likely be insignificant.
CIBC is predicting New Brunswick will appear more attractive to industry due to lower power rates, and tax cuts, but sectors like forestry and business services will suffer do to some capital investments being put off.
Saskatchewan will lead in economic growth with a 3 per cent gain. New Brunswick is looking at a 2.2 per cent gain, and the slowest expansion comes from PEI at 1.8 per cent.

Oromocto RCMP Searching for Assault Suspect

[Lonnie Dellas Carr---Photo Courtesy of the RCMP]

A follow up to a story we first told you about Saturday----The RCMP are on the lookout for a 45 year old man from Fredericton Junction in relation to aggravated assault, evading police, and discharging a firearm.

Lonnie Dellas Carr was charged following an incident on Saturday where the RCMP responded to a complaint involving a handgun.
The suspect used a handgun to get into a home of an acquaintance and assaulted the person causing serious injury.
RCMP are asking if anyone sees Carr to call them or Crime Stoppers immediately and not to approach him.

A Group to "Save Our Horses"

The decision to close the Rockwood Park Horse Barn has riled a few Saint Johnners, some of whom are now wearing sweaters with "Save Our Horses" stickers on them. Brian Stone of Citizens for Fair Taxation tells CHSJ News if the move is being made to save a few dollars, it's ill conceived.

Stone also says it appears some members of Common Council are in the dark believing that negotiations are still going on.

Reaction to NB Power CEO Resignation

All was not well in the camp of NB Power's Board of Directors over the proposed sale of some of the assets to Hydro Quebec. That's the take of Tom Mann of the Coalition opposing the sale and points to David Hay's announced departure this week as President and C-E-O. He says those who are opposed to the deal have very different reasons for doing so.

Mann says a third group believes the province would be giving up control of its energy future with the sale.

NB Power Court Challenge

A monkey wrench has been thrown in the works as far as the legal challenge to the NB Power sale is concerned. The Provincial Government is sticking with the legal provision that 2 months notice is required in writing which would delay matters until the time when the revised agreement is supposed to be approved. The court challenge is being filed in the name of Auguste Gallant who worked many years for the province.

Gallant says even if the deal is signed, sealed and delivered, a judge can still rule it's illegal and declare it null and void.

Rally to Oppose Sale of NB Power Assets

Saint Johners opposed to the sale of NB Power are invited to a rally today at the intersection of St. Patrick and Union Street at 4:30.

The demonstration is in collaboration with the No To the Sale of NB Power rally being held at the University of New Brunswick Student Union Building in Fredericton tonight where the Premier will be delivering his State of the Province address.

Four New ER Doctors at the Regional

The Regional Hospital is welcoming four new emergency department physicians.

Dr. Paul Atkinson, Dr. Matthew Grabove, Dr. Peter Ross, and Dr. Glenn Verheul will all be joining the department for both clinical and academic work.
Head of Emergency Medicine at the hospital Dr. Michael Howlett says the recruitment of these four doctors is a major step towards ensuring long term stability of the department.
All four doctors are also a part of the Dalhousie University Emergency Medicine Faculty.

Hampton RCMP Looking for Vehicle Thief

The RCMP in Hampton are looking for the person responsible for nabbing a pick up truck from a driveway last night.

A 33 year old Kingston man reported his 2005 Dodge Ram truck stolen from his yard just after midnight.
The vehicle is described as white, with the license plate number CNT-727, and had a snowmobile in the back.

Price of Milk To Rise Next Week

Milk will cost you a bit more starting Monday. It has been announced by the Farm Products Commission that the price will be rising by one cent a litre as of February 1st. The Farm Commission terms the increase modest saying operating costs were kept down because of lower fuel prices. School milk prices will remain the same for another year. The Commission says processors and operators subsidise that programme at a cost of 1.3 million dollars a year.

Saint John Improves Position in Monopoly Voting

Uptown restaurant owners, Saint John's Mayor and MP and the President of the Board of Trade are encouraging everyone to vote and get the Port City on a new version of the board game Monopoly. You can vote once a day at monopolyvote.ca. Saint John is ahead of Fredericton in the voting and currently sits at 55th out of 65 cities. 20 cities will be chosen for the game.

Gas Prices Are Down Again

Gas prices are continuing to go down following the weekly setting. The maximum price for self serve regular is almost a cent a litre cheaper at 101.3. It's being sold in the city for 98.7. The maximum that can be charged for diesel is 105.3 which is a tad lower and is being sold in Saint John for 102.6. Furnace oil is at 88.7 and propane, 115.5. In Grand Bay-Westfield this morning, the price for self serve regular is 97.7 a litre and diesel is being sold for 101.6.

Atlantic Coastal Action Program on New Municipal Plan

The Atlantic Coastal Action Program is hoping the Municipal Plan will include lots of green ideas. Executive Director Tim Vickers tells CHSJ News, the plan is a way to change some not-so environmentally friendly ways. Vickers says people need to get involved, because the more people who come forward the better the process works. He adds the opportunity to conserve some environmental areas is paramount to the future of this city.

City Looking For Input Into Municipal Plan

(Plan SJ Headquarters in Brunswick Square)

(File Photo)

The city is officially launching PlanSJ and is looking for your ideas for the new Municipal Plan which will be used to shape the city for the next 25 years. Deputy Commissioner of Planning Jaqueline Hamilton tells CHSJ news, the city is welcoming every resident to pop into the Plan SJ headquarters in Brunswick Square.
The headquarters will be open for the next two years and the Municipal Plan is expected to be released late 2011.