Unemployment Rate In City Drops

Saint John saw its jobless rate go down from 5.8 to 5.7 per cent last month and the provincial rate has also fallen to just under 9 per cent at 8.9 per cent.

Nationally, 61 thousand jobs were created in September which pushed the unemployment rate down to 7.1 per cent, the lowest it has been since the financial meltdown late in 2008.

 Much of the job gains were due to a seasonal hiring spree in the education sector as schools returned to session.

 The private sector actually shed about 15,000 jobs and the key manufacturing sector lost 23,500 workers.

Mayor Mentions Declaring Bankruptcy When Talking About City Pension Woes

For the first time, the word bankruptcy has been mentioned in connection with the city's financially strapped pension plan.

It's Mayor Ivan Court who's doing the mentioning as he expresses frustration with the province which ultimately will decide what the city's pension plan will look like.

Court goes on to say the magic formula to putting this right is not raising taxes by 16 or 18 cents or having no city services.

He also points out the city doesn't have the luxury of running a deficit like the federal and provincial governments can.

Our Listeners React To Possible Annual Inspection Changes

Our Facebook friends reacting to the idea of the province toying with annual motor vehicle inspections.

James likes the idea adding they should also get rid of annual registration every year so we can operate like B.C.    Bob says kids are too precious to have in an unsafe vehicle adding he has seen a tire rod break twice and you wouldn't want to see it happen on the highway.
He is happy to pay every year just for the peace of mind.

Sandra says her car is newer and serviced regularly so annual motor vehicle inspections are just another tax grab.  Dennis doesn't think the province will do it because they stand to  lose too much money.  

Add your voice to the conversation on our Facebook page click here

Ladies Fast For North End Food Drive

Two women will be going without food in order to fill a trailer so others will not go hungry.
Tammy Calvin and Andrea Richards will be hosting the food drive on the 13th and finishing when the trailer is full.

The trailer will be set up in Lansdowne Plaza and they are looking for a variety of foods including soups and canned goods, bread and rolls and canned vegetables.

All proceeds will go to the North End Food Bank on Adelaide Street.

The foods required are:

·        Soups and can goods
·        Bread and rolls
·        Canned vegetables
.        Canned fruits
·        Rice, pasta, Kraft Dinner etc.
·        Cereal and oatmeal
·        Snack foods for children’s lunches
·        Baby foods, diapers and formula
·        Laundry soap, shampoo, body soaps, deodorant etc.
·        Crackers
·        Condiments – soya sauce, ketchup, mayo. etc.
·        Pancake mixes and syrups
·        Peanut butter, cheese whiz, jams etc.