CAA Welcomes Change of Heart from Province

The Canadian Automobile Association in Atlantic Canada is commending Public Safety Minister Robert Trevors for withdrawing the proposal to amend the Graduated License program.

Vice President Gary Howard tells CHSJ News evidence shows that the combination of reduced visibility, glare, fatigue, possible impairment and other factors make nighttime particularly hazardous for new drivers.

Tories Back Down On Driving Change

The Alward government has changed their tune on a proposal to eliminate an overnight driving restriction for new drivers after two national groups condemned it.

Public Safety Minister Robert Trevors introduced legislation last week that would have removed a restriction preventing novice motorists from driving between midnight and 5 a.m.

 At first, he defended the legislation, saying it was needed to remove a restriction that is inconvenient for young drivers, especially in rural regions.

But Trevors reversed course today, saying the government would not proceed with the bill after hearing concerns about it.

The legislation sparked uproar from MADD Canada and the Canadian Automobile Association who said it would have put driver safety at risk.

Mounties Seek To Identify Possible Voyeur

RCMP are looking for the public's help after an incident of voyeurism in Moncton.

Back on October 22nd, police were told that a man had possibly used a disguised camera to take pictures of a client in a dressing room at a women's clothing store on Trinity Drive.

A surveillance image and a recent sketch by a forensic artist are now being released in an effort to identify the suspect. The man is described as about 6 feet tall.


If you have any information, contact the Mounties at 1-506-857-2400 or Crime Stoppers
at www.crimenb.ca or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

No Snow On the Ground But, Snow At Poley

It's hard to get excited about Christmas without any white stuff.   We may not have any on the ground but they are making it at Poley.

Officials at Poley Mountain tell CHSJ News they began making snow again just before 4 this morning.

They plan to keep making snow today and tonight but may shut down on the weekend due to the forecast.

Montreal Massacre Remembered

It was on this day in 1989 when a man walking into a school in Montreal and gunned down 14 people just because they were women.  

10 other women and 4 men were injured in the shooting.
 
December 6th is now observed as a National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

Memorial services will be held coast to coast in honour of the victims.  
UNB Fredericton is hosting one today in the SUB ballroom between 4 and 5pm.

Purple and white ribbons will be handed out.

New Brunswickers Have Their Say On Rebuilding Healthcare

The new Provincial Health Minister Ted Flemming has a big job on his hands and that's to get control of the rising cost of healthcare which is taking up from 40 to 50 per cent of the Alward Government's budget. 

So how do you rebuild the system to make it better and more cost effective? Several hundred people around the province were asked that and Stephane Robichaud of the New Brunswick Health Council tells CHSJ News they believe electronic health records hold great promise for better care.
 
Robichaud also says New Brunswickers, by and large, believe individuals should be taking greater responsibility for their own care and keeping themselves well but should be provided with more information about how to do that in terms of nutrition and physical activity.

He concludes the health care system in the province works well if your life is in danger but less so if you have a chronic disease that requires continuous care.

Mayor Gets Support For Fourplex

Mayor Mel Norton's idea of building a fourplex with multi ice surfaces is getting support from a consultant the city hired to review its core services. 

Todd MacDonald of Performance Concepts Consulting says it's one of the trends happening in other cities because it's more efficient to run and less costly. He also points out the arenas around town are getting long in the tooth.

MacDonald is also suggesting the city might want to cut back on what it's offering at arenas during the day, Monday through Friday, because of low use and that would free up city workers for more productive jobs.