Local Campaign Almost Brings In Almost A Million Dollars

The total says it absolutely is possible.  

A "Heart of the Possible" capital campaign for the Boys and Girls Club bringing in 943 thousand dollars exceeding their goal.  
The campaign's goal was 750,000 dollars.

Last September,  The Premier came to town with a big cheque for $150, 000 to help the campaign reach it's goal.

The money is being used to to refurbish the gym, pave their driveway, create a mural on the building and update their learning room.  Additional funds will be used to build a new playground structure and for other projects.

Sentencing On Drug Pleas Delayed

More drug charges have been laid against a Charlotte Street man who earlier pleaded guilty to a pair of charges of possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. 

Trevor Garland pleaded not guilty to additional charges of possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking along with possession of dilaudid and marijuana.

A presentence report was ordered back in November but is still incomplete. That prompted the judge to remand Garland to jail until February 16th. 

The prosecution is asking for a prison term of at least 2 years on the two guilty pleas. 

Garland was arrested as part of a police crackdown on street level dealing.

Regulated Gas Prices In Province Blasted

Gas regulation in the province is broken.......That declaration from independent gas retailer Chris Scholten of Scholtens who was pressing the provincial government to have a legislated minimum price for gas in light of what's been happening in Fredericton when Costco drastically reduced gas prices for its members.
 
Scholten warns more independent retailers will be driven out of business and that means less tax will be collected by the province. 

Provincial Finance Minister Blaine Higgs seemed open to the idea of a legislated minimum price for gas which they have in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island but was rejected by Energy Minister Craig Leonard and the Premier.

Tax Rate Is Expected To Be Approved Tonight

Common Council is still finalising its 2012 budget after a heated meeting over the weekend. 

It's expected the budget with 9 million dollars worth of cuts will be unveiled and then Saint John taxpayers will have a chance to have their say about the cuts before a vote is held. 

Councillor Bruce Court tells CHSJ News it's likely the tax rate will be approved tonight and he concedes there will be staff cuts. 

Council has come under criticism for conducting its budget deliberations largely behind closed doors.

Rescue In River Off K-Park

A father who was skating in front of Kennebecasis Park had to be rescued by his son yesterday afternoon. 

The man fell through the ice near the shore where it doesn't freeze that well. His son used a hockey stick to help get his dad out of the river who was then taken to hospital to be examined. 

They had managed to make it to shore by the time emergency crews arrived.

Losier Won't Lose Sleep Over Davidson's Comments

Grace Losier is unfazed by criticism by Bob Davidson who says the taxpayers of Saint John, Quispamsis and Rothesay subsidize the policing of Grand Bay-Westfield.

The town's mayor says in 1997 when the town was determining policing both the City police and Rothesay Regional Police were invited to participate.

She tells CHSJ News she doesn't lose any sleep over Davidson's comments adding
the deal is offered nationally and the town availed itself of it.

She says at the time maybe those other communities should have answered the call for expressions of interest for policing.

Losier says the RCMP are her town's policing of choice and they have been great for the community.

Court Says Blood Symposium Wasn't Grandstanding

Some people accused the Mayor of grandstanding for the upcoming election when he decided to push ahead with his symposium on blood, despite Canadian Blood Services saying that the decision to move the blood production lab from Millidgeville to Dartmouth is a definite thing.

Court tells CHSJ News that his decision to hold the symposium anyway wasn't a bid for votes, but a response to the problem of shoddy medical care. That's something that has effected him deeply: he lost his 18 year old son because of medical incompetence.

Court says that it's unrealistic to call Dartmouth when it needs blood--and lives will be at risk. CBS says that they're moving anyway, and will work with the province to keep the blood supply safe.

Multiple Car Crashes on Redhead Road

A bottle--that's how police and fire crews are describing the icy stretch of Red HeadRoad that was the site of three separate accidents this afternoon.

Police getting the call around 11:30am stating that a car had gone off the road and was flipped over in the ditch. Three people were injured, although no one seriously. One was transported to the hospital.

A fire truck responding to that accident was heading down the hill when it, too, slid off the road. The windshield of the truck was smashed and there was some light damage to the the fire apparatus, but the crew made it out fine.

A third vehicle crashed into the same ditch as the first vehicle shortly afterward.

If you're driving that way, you're advised that area of road is now blocked off to past the entrance to Canaport LNG. Sand trucks are on the scene and are working on making the area safer.

Chase Breaks Silence on Budget

It's time to stop the secrecy and give the public a chance to weigh in on the budget--that from Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase. After unprecedented delays and disagreements, the city being met with tremendous pressure from the province to get it together.

It's expected the 2012 city budget will be voted on February 6th but there will be a budget released tonight at Common Council, according to Chase, and Saint Johnners will have a week to weigh in on the cuts. He warns everyone is going to be cut with the possible exception of the Imperial Theatre.

Chase says that he's frustrated with the idea that the tough issues should be kept under wraps, getting up in protest and refusing to deliberate any further behind closed doors.

Saturday's council meeting was planned for closed session but was quietly declared open after Chase's refusal to participate. He called it illegal and stormed out.

Fire Service Will Remain Top Notch Despite Budget Cuts

Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase says even with a budget cut hitting the fire department, we will still meet national fire safety standards.

The Fire Fighters Association says the loss of a truck and up to 24 staff will put Saint Johners at risk.

But Chase tells CHSJ News there is nothing to worry about because the same amount of trucks and fire fighters will still respond to a fire call and our service will still be superior to that of our neighbouring communities.

He says the funding reduction to the fire department will remain the same no matter what form the final budget takes.

Storm Conditions Cause Car Accidents

After a messy day of snow and freezing rain, police said they responded to a number of minor car crashes throughout the city.

Last night, a single car accident at 675 Golden Grove Road sent one person to the hospital.

The crash occurred shortly after 11pm when conditions on the roads were icy. The person's injuries weren't life threatening.

There were also some scrape-ups in the Rothesay area; however, no one was injured.

Man Facing A Charge After Knife Incident

A fun night out ending on a scary note for some at the 3 Mile last night.

A 22 year old man is accused of pulling out a knife after he started fighting with another man but no one was hurt.

Police getting the call shortly after 1am.
Workers at the bar detained the man until police arrived.

Acting Staff Sergeant Dan Ford tells CHSJ News the man faces one charge relating to the incident.

Liberals Wants Update On Invest NB

Opposition Finance Critic Donald Arseneault wants to know what Invest NB has done for the province since it was unveiled a year ago.


Arseneault tells CHSJ News the state of the province address would have been a great time to update New Brunswickers on what exactly Invest NB has accomplished.

He says Invest NB is taking credit for recently creating 500 jobs but those companies were already in New Brunswick and Invest NB is suppose to draw in outside investors.

Arseneault says there has not been any.

Car Crashes Into Display At Dealership Today

                                   Single Vehicle Crash on Rothesay Avenue Today

Border Guards Bust Trucker With Pills

Canada Border Services in Woodstock discovering an American truck driver with 69 pills they believe to be methamphetamine.

Armando Ramirez was coming over with a load of furniture earlier this month.

After a second search by Border Services Officers,the pills were found with the driver.  The pills were unmarked and the driver did not have a prescription.

Ramirez was arrested and handed over to the RCMP who charged him in Woodstock Provincial Court.  He's due back in to court in July.

Snow Changing To Freezing Rain and Rain

Our morphing storm continues to keep drivers and walkers on their toes.

We got about 3 centimetres of snow and Environment Canada's Tracey Talbot tells CHSJ at the airport right now it's a mix of ice pellets and freezing rain.

She says the precipitation is in the process of changing over to freezing rain and in the next couple of hours it will change to rain as the temperature continues to rise.

Talbot says the storm has progressed as the way they expected with less snow that predicted.

Transportation Minister Warns Drivers To Slow Down

The Transportation Minister advising motorists across the province to take extreme caution if they must travel today.

Claude Williams says while DOT crews will be out, it's important to remember that our crews also face the same driving challenges – very slippery roads and freezing rain.

He's asking motorists to reduce their speed in storm conditions.

Around Greater Saint John, a few collisions have been reported including a fender bender on King Street on the lunch hour.

We are told the road conditions are slippery in Pennfield and St. George.

To see our list of cancellations, click here

New Boat Named After Former Port Authority CEO

The Atlantic Pilotage Authority honouring the former CEO of the Saint John Port Authority.

A new pilot boat will be named after Captain Al Soppitt and he tells CHSJ News he had no idea it was coming but is completely honoured by the gesture.  

He says he never had a vessel named after him before

Soppitt was the CEO of the Saint John Port Authority for 15 years.

The Atlantic Pilotage Authority also celebrating its revamped office at Reed's Point on Water Street.

Snow Will Change To Ice Pellets Or Freezing Rain Late Today

Snow, ice pellets and rain are all part of the weather mix through tonight. Tracy Talbot of Environment Canada tells CHSJ News the snow will be with us for some time yet.

She says it will snow for a while before changing to freezing rain and ice pellets and she expects the rain should begin around the supper hour.

Environment Canada is calling for 5 to 10 centimeters of snow and ice pellets and the closer you are to the coast doesn't necessarily mean you'll get less.

Grand Manan Fishermen Say Their Livlihoods Are Under Threat

Fishermen on Grand Manan are worried their way of life may be disappearing.

The Grand Manan Fishermen's Association is voicing concern over lobster licenses being sold to fishermen in Nova Scotia. A company in Yarmouth has bought one.

 Liberal M-L-A Rick Doucet tells CHSJ News there had been in a freeze in place on Interprovincial license transfers but that's no longer in place.

 Both Doucet and the fishermen are calling for another freeze to be put in place on the interprovincial transfer of lobster licenses.

Doucette warns once the licenses are gone, they don't come back and the economy of Grand Manan is heavily dependent on the lobster fishery.

Another Budget Meeting Behind Closed Doors

Another Saturday........Another budget meeting behind closed doors at City Hall.

The city is under pressure to finalise its 2012 budget so now a vote in open session is expected Monday.

Mayor Ivan Court tells CHSJ News there has been disagreement on which budget should be unveiled and how to spend 143 million dollars.

 Two different versions have been put on the table, one of them having 9 million dollars in cuts but Court says there could even be a third emerging because of a lack of consensus on the first two.

Court expects tomorrow's meeting to be a long one.

Talk Of Drug Testing Social Assistance Recipients Creates A Stir

The Facebook universe mostly singing from the same hymn sheet when it comes to drug testing those receiving social assistance before they can get a cheque.

Angela says it should be mandatory and she agrees 100% adding a lot of employers require drug testing.
Meaghan agrees with Angela saying she doesn't like paying for someone to sit around doing drugs while many can barely afford their bills who are working.

Terri agrees with not giving out cash adding then maybe some of these kids would eat a little better and dress a lot better as well.

Nancy-Leigh is nearly alone in her disagreement.
She defends those on social assistance saying not everyone  is on drugs or drinks.

Join the conversation on our Facebook page by clicking here

Liberal Finance Critic Says Premier Is Lying About Costs

Liberal Finance Critic Donald Arseneault says the Premier and Finance Minister Blaine Higgs are at odds over the cost of campaign promises and only one side can be telling the truth.

He tells CHSJ News the Premier said the Tory platform would cost taxpayers 141 million dollars but Higgs recently stated that the plan to freeze seniors' property taxes would have cost 173 million alone.

He says somebody is lying but he's siding with the Minister because Higgs knows the numbers.

Arseneault adds Higgs is the only member of government being upfront with New Brunswickers and David Alward promised everything to everyone in order to gain power.

Skating Surface Closed At Rainbow Park

The skating surface at Rainbow Park is temporarily closed down.

An electrical transformer at the park was damaged, leaving the freezing plant without power.

Leisure Services is asking you to stay off the ice until the surface is officially re-opened as the ice will be affected by outside temperatures.

No word yet on when it will re-open.

Greater SJ Prepares For Another Friday Storm

The snowmobilers and skiers are psyched but the shovelers, walkers and drivers...not so much.


Environment Canada predicting 10 centimetres of snow and ice pellets before it changes to rain tomorrow night.


Meterologist Tracey Talbot tells CHSJ News the folks up north will get a lot more snow.

She says the Acadian Peninsula is under a snowfall warning and they could receive up to 30 centimetres of snow.

The fun begins early tomorrow morning and the City's Municipal Operations will be working to keep streets and sidewalks clear of snow and ice.

Mayor Defends Council's Choice To Leave After Closed Session

Just when the city budget will be passed is anyone's guess. It had been expected last Monday after the city released an agenda with the budget scheduled to be released that night after an earlier closed door meeting. 

Mayor Ivan Court tells CHSJ News it didn't happen because there's still too much disagreement on what it should look like.

He says when Council gets consensus they can go downstairs and discuss openly they may get something passed and that may happen on Monday night.

Common Council is to get together Saturday morning for another budget meeting behind closed doors.

Fire Department Says It Is Subject To Unfair Scrutiny

Paul Stackhouse of the Fire Fighters Association says he doesn't understand why Common Council is constantly looking at the performance and budget of the fire department.

Stackhouse tells CHSJ News the department has been subjected to review after review.

He says public feedback has been clear that fire protection is a top priority for citizens.

The fire department is expected to lose a truck and 8 to 24 fire fighters after budget cuts in the 2012 budget.

He says fire departments in other cities have been growing over the past few years while ours have been getting more responsibility along with shrinking budgets.

Province Will Not Be Drug Testing Social Assistance Recipients

Speculation has been making the rounds on the internet and social media sites that the province will begin drug testing social assistance recipients before handing out cheques.

Spokesperson for the Department of Social Development Mark Barbour tells CHSJ News there is no truth to it and the department is not even discussing the idea.

Florida recently passed legislation that requires drug testing before receiving social assistance.

Drug Dealers In City Nabbed

21 people face more than 50 charges in the aftermath of a Police investigation called 'Operation Crackdown' on street level crimes involving drug distribution, illegal weapons, court order violations and nuisance. 

The investigation, which began in November, focused on dealers of cocaine, prescription drugs and marijuana. 
 
There were undercover buys during the course of the investigation with three search warrants on the West Side, City Center and East Side.
 
Police also seizing almost $10,500 worth of cocaine; $6,900.00 worth of marihuana; $900 worth of crack cocaine and other drugs with a street value of approximately $900 along with more than 5 thousand dollars worth of cash.

Gallant Aims To Be The Next Party Leader and Premier

A former Premier, a former MP and two former Provincial cabinet minister just a few of the notable Liberals on hand to hear Brian Gallant speak.

The 29-year-old Moncton lawyer officially throwing his hat in the ring to be leader of the Provincial Liberal party.
Gallant tells CHSJ News he knows rebuilding won't be easy.

He believes the Liberal party in New Brunswick is healthy and the recent challenges make people wonder how its going to function
and that's why you see so many young people in the province jumping on board.

Gallant says hard work is needed to put the Liberal party in a position to form government in 2014.    The Liberal leadership convention is coming up in October.

Slight Change With Gas Prices

A mixed bag with the price of gas after the weekly setting. 

Self serve regular is a bit more expensive being sold around town for $1.25.8 a litre. Diesel is slightly less expensive at $1.37.3. 

Heating oil has also dropped to $1.19.6 a litre while the listed price of propane is $1.07.1, just a tad lower than it was.

Bell Aliant Offering Facebook App For TV Customers

Bell Aliant customers with FibreOp TV and Internet service will have a new way to access the ever popular Facebook website.

The social networking site can now be accessed on your TV screen while still letting you watch shows at the same time.

Bell Aliant spokesperson Andre LeBlanc tells CHSJ News it's a natural pairing as three-quarters of internet users are watching TV while doing something on the internet at the same time.

He says many people like to talk about a show on social media while it is being broadcast.

Deer Skeleton Stuck In Lake

You may get a bit of a nasty surprise when you're walking around the trails at Lily Lake and Fisher Lakes.

According to city personnel, the skeletal remains of a deer are currently laying on the ice at the popular city park. They says the animal fell through before the ice was solid, and now it's too risky to send someone to remove it.

Folks who are sensitive to that kind of thing may want to look the other way while using the trails.

Heavy Equipment Stolen In Three Areas

After a spree of heavy-equipment thefts in the tri-city region, police looking for tips from the public.

From December 29th to January 22, several trailers and mini-excavators have been stolen from locked compounds and work sites in Hanwell, Moncton, and Saint John.

All together, the thefts total more that $250-thousand. Anyone with any information is asked to contact city police or Crimestoppers at 1 800 222 TIPS.

Ashely Smith's Mother To Tell Her Story

500 women in Moncton will gather next month to hear the heartwrenching tale of Ashley Smith as told by her mother.
Coralee Smith will describe her daughter's ordeal and death in on Ontario prison in 2007.
Women & Wellness Event chair Audrey Vaughn tells CHSJ News even though she is considered to be mentally ill she was never diagnosed.

Vaughn says she was identified as having behavioural issues but never properly diagnosed for having mental health issues.

Smith's troubles began with her receiving probation for throwing crabapples at a letter carrier which led to a breach of probation and 100 additional charges.    Before her death, she was transferred 17 times between different facilities in five different provinces.
The Canadian Mental Health Association event is coming up February 4th at Bernice MacNaughton High School.

Minister Of State For Seniors Holds Pre-Budget Talks

The Minister of State for Seniors Alice Wong meeting with locals MP's and senior advocate groups today in Quispamsis as part of federal pre-budget consultations.

Wong says the province has some unique challenges when it comes to caring for seniors, which includes young New Brunswickers leaving the province to find work elsewhere.
 
She says the federal government has a a role to play in preventing this by providing a strong economy and creating jobs.

She says suggestions made by the senior interest groups include preventative health care for seniors and more practical research.

Premier Welcomes the Blunt Talk From His Finance Minister

Provincial Finance Minister Blaine Higgs has not been holding back in his blunt talk about election promises costing too much money, politicians interfering at NB Power and healthcare dollars being spent poorly.

Premier David Alward is not put off by his candor saying Higgs is provoking dialogue and getting people to think which is a good thing and what you see is what you get.

The Premier is also defending the cost of his campaign promises and the government's decision to stick with Canadian Blood Services in the face of criticism that going along with moving blood production to Nova Scotia is a broken campaign promise.

City Police Release Description Of Man In Attempted Robbery

City police releasing a description of the man who tried to rob a North end convenience store.

The Major Crime Unit is looking for a man who is about 5 foot 10 with a medium build wearing a light blue jacket and light blue jeans with faded spots and black gloves.

The attempted armed robbery took place at 12:49 yesterday afternoon at Friendly's convenience store on Millidge Ave. 

No one was hurt and the man took off on foot.

If you can help police, call 648-3333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS).  

Cullen Says Blood Production Move is a Done Deal

You're entitled to your opinion, but we're moving anyway.

Amanda Cullen of Canadian Blood Services telling CHSJ news the organization isn't budging on its plan to move the blood production lab from Millidgeville to Dartmouth. That in light of harsh criticism from Mayor Ivan Court and other politicians who predict grave consequences for health-care in the province.

She says that CBS has a plan to supply a safe and secure supply of blood, and they stand behind that.

Cullen tells us that CBS will go ahead, despite threats of legal action. If the move happens, we will be the only province--apart from PEI--without its own blood production lab.

Quispamsis Councillor Says Idea Of Congestion Tax Already Having Effect

Quispamsis councillor Gary Clark says the idea of a congestion tax that was floated by Saint John Council months ago is still hitting a sore spot for residents in the valley.

Clark tells CHSJ News although nothing is official, the mere idea has upset residents and Saint John is already suffering the consequences.

He says valley residents have told him they have cut back on spending money in Saint John as a way to protest.

He believes Saint John Council needs to publicly take it off the table as he doesn't want any businesses in the city to suffer.

Mayor Ivan Court has stated he doesn't believe the tax would ever get off the ground and it was only brought up as a possible idea to generate revenue for the city.

Fire Forces Couple From Home

Fire gutted the interior of a home on Bridge Street in Minto leaving a couple temporarily homeless. The two weren't home at the time of the blaze and there's no word on a cause.
 
Meanwhile, three people were taken to hospital after a head on collision involving two cars on the New Maryland Highway. The RCMP closed the highway for about an hour and a half. 

They say road conditions were wet at the time of the collision.

Local Tech Companies Get Major Investment Dollars

Three emerging Saint John tech companies getting 1.75 million dollars worth of investment money from a venture fund.

Enovex Technology Ltd. develops gas separation materials and received 1.1 million dollars.

CEO Scott Walton tells CHSJ News the support he got from fellow New Brunswick investors and entrepreneurs was critical to his company landing the investment dollars.

He says people from other countries are envious of the kind of advisors that New Brunswick entrepreneurs get access to.


He adds Saint John is a hidden jewel for the tech industry as we have the ideas and the people to make it grow.

Spinzo Corporation secured 400-thousand dollars to launch it's e-commerce platform and MedRunner Health Solutions Inc. received 250-thousand dollars to develop and deploy electronic prescription solutions.

Police Are Looking For Man In Attempted Robbery

City police still in the hunt of a man who tried to rob a Millidge Avenue store earlier today.

Just before 1pm police got the call of a man in his 20's demanding cash at the Friendly's convenience store with a weapon and then taking off when the clerk refused to give him any.

The canine unit was brought in and a search continues in the area.

Police Arrest Couple After 12 Uptown Car Break-Ins

A man and a woman in their 20's are facing charges after more than a dozen thefts from vehicles uptown.
The pair arrested yesterday after a series of thefts from cars uptown including three parked on Duke Street, Queen Square and Horsfield street on Monday.

Sgt. Glen Hayward tells CHSJ News the thefts began on the weekend.
 
27-year-old James Ewart made a court appearance yesterday and is being held in custody before another date with a judge on Thursday.

His 23-year-old girlfriend who also faces charges was released on strict conditions.

Former Provincial Cabinet Minister Contemplating Leadership Run

Former Provincial Cabinet Minister Kelly Lamrock calls himself a prospective Liberal leadership candidate while maintaining he hasn't made up his mind yet whether or not to run.

Lamrock has released some proposals to create jobs including a "One More Job" summit to help each of the province's 26 thousand small businesses add one more job.

Lamrock tells CHSJ News the previous Liberal Government, of which he was a member, got into trouble when it did such things as reducing taxes on the rich when it didn't make any financial sense to do so and attempting to sell NB Power, a public utility.

Despite that, Lamrock says he's proud of the role he played in reducing poverty and raising the literacy rate to 90 per cent from the lowest in the country.

Police Association Says Too Many Tax Dollars Are Leaving Saint John

The city is having a tough time finalising its 2012 budget and there's growing controversy over proposed cuts. Bob Davidson of the Saint John Police Association points out 17 million dollars in tax money collected in the city is taken out by the province.

He points out while taxpayers in the city, Rothesay and Quispamsis pay the full cost of policing, other commmunities such as Grand Bay-Westfield and Hampton along with the local service districts are subsidised by the province.

Davidson calls that insulting to the people who foot the entire bill and should be stopped.

Weston Hosts Pre-Budget Consultations

The Saint John MP is hearing from regional mayors and businesses to get their input on what should or shouldn't be included in the federal budget.
 
Rodney Weston says one clear message he's hearing is that no one wants any cuts to program funding at ACOA.

Weston tells us the efficiencies government must find in this budget will not impact the water project for Saint John.

He says the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance have said that governments are always going to invest in infrastructure and he says that's something they have always worked to ensure.

Weston expects job cuts at the federal level as the government can't continue to grow the way it has.

Traffic Lights Down On Busy City Street

The traffic lights at one of the busier spots for traffic in the city ...... Rothesay Avenue and Russell Street........ are out of commission until further notice because of a traffic accident which took place over the weekend. 

The city tells us extensive repairs are needed so there's no word on when they'll be back working again.

For the interim, there's a stop sign at Russell Street to make clear the drivers travelling down Rothesay Avenue have the right of way.

The city also advising drivers to avoid that area if they can.

Firefighters Union Packs Council Chambers

Meanwhile, the council chambers were packed with over 50 firefighters. 

They were there to oppose cuts to the fire budget that will result in the loss of a truck and 8 to 24 employees.

Paul Stackhouse is the President of the Fire Fighters Association.  He believes the delay on the budget is due in part to the publicity the firefighters union has been causing over the cuts.

He hopes council will reconsider the cuts after the union spelled out the risks like longer response times.

Stackhouse says the union will continue to raise awareness on this issue and are planning another rally when council meets on Saturday.

City Budget Delayed Again

Common Council deciding once again to not approve the 2012 budget.

Council had planned to approve the budget in a special public meeting last night but left city hall after the private portion of the meeting wrapped up.

Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase tells CHSJ News council was still not ready to sign off on a 143 million dollar budget or an alternate one that is short 9 million dollars based on the province not approving pension reforms.

He says the city manager outlined a series of program cuts, like to ballparks and skating rinks, but council wanted more time to determine what the right course of action is.

He adds he wanted to have an open session of council last night so that the public could see where potential cuts would be.

Council will be holding another private meeting this Saturday morning at 9 at city hall.