WATCH: Highlights from the Saint John Santa Claus Parade

 

The 61st Annual Saint John Santa Claus Parade draws a large crowd on a mild November night.

Human Rights Commission Marks International Day Of Tolerance

 The Human Rights Commission marking today as the International Day of Tolerance.

The commission says its seen an increase in complaints, that people with mental heath issues are being discriminated at work.

 Randy Dickinson, chairperson of the Human Rights Commission tells CHSJ News, 55 per cent of the annual complaints reported to the commission are around discrimination based on disability.

 "Unfortunately, there are still many individuals and situations where people are blatantly discriminated against, in terms of being denied an opportunity for employment or people making racist comments," says Dickinson.

He says that although we've made a lot of progress, there's room for improvement.

Protest Against Climate Change Inaction

Protesters gathering outside of MP Rodney Weston's office opposing the Harper government's inaction on climate change.

The protest being organized by locals that make up various environmental and indigenous community groups.

Andrew Graham is a member of local chapter of the Council of Canadians. He tells CHSJ news, the group is tired of misguided direction in the government.

Graham says the government is being led by industry. He adds, "We'd like to have more leadership because climate change is not just coming, it's here."

Santa Claus Parade Street Closures

All four lanes of the causeway will be blocked off starting at 3 for the parade line-up. The Courtney Bay causeway will re-open right after the parade.

The parade route will be the same as last year. The Parade will leave the Causeway, to Union St., a left onto Sydney St., right on King's Square North, left on Charlotte St., down King St, to St. Patrick, to Main St., right on Lansdowne Ave., and right at Wellesley Blvd. All of these streets will be closed during the parade.

 Citizens are asked not to park on King Street starting at 5 pm. Cars parked anywhere along the parade route after 5:30 will be towed. Everyone is asked to be mindful of all signage along the parade route.

Small Fire At Rothesay Park School

Police and Fire responding to a small fire at Rothesay Park school, at about 11 this morning. The fire started in the staff room and was immediately put out. 

The cause of the fire appeared to be from a sofa directly up against a heater. Police and Fire are investigating.

Collision On McAllister Dr. & Westmorland Rd

 Ambulance responding to a collision on McAllister Dr. and Westmorland Rd. between a dump truck and a Honda Civic, around 9:45 this morning.

The driver of the Honda was shaken up, but no serious injuries were reported.

Three Men Sentenced For Armed Robbery In Rothesay

Three men who were charged in the Cochran's Country Market armed robbery back in July, have received their sentences.

Yesterday, in Saint John Provincial Court, Stephen Corey Richard was sentenced to a total of six and a half years in jail for an armed robbery, forcible confinement and having a face disguised with intent to commit an indictable offence. Keith Oliver Dixon also being sentenced yesterday for the same offences, and will serve six years in jail.

On November 8th, Blake Andrew Smith was sentenced to eight years in jail for armed robbery, forcible confinement and having a face disguised with intent to commit an indictable offence.

All three men have lifetime bans for owning or possessing firearms.They also had to give DNA samples for the DNA Data Bank. The court ordered the firearms used during the robbery be destroyed, and that the money seized  be returned to Cochran's Country Market.

Hit And Run In North End

City police responding to a hit and run early this morning at 2:30 am, on Main and Chesley. A truck collided with a taxi van.

Police later found the driver at the Reversing Falls. No one was seriously injured. The driver was impaired, and will appear in court on charges of impaired driving.