It's not an official proposal yet, but according to the Ecology Action Center, opposition to TransCanada's proposed Energy East pipeline is mounting across the country.
Catherine Abreu says the promise of 1,000 jobs created during the flow phase isn't enough to sell the idea to Canadians, and there's been a huge response to petitions circulated by various organizations--40,000 signatures, to be exact.
Abreu points out fisheries jobs are being put at risk by the proposed pipeline....and in Ontario, the provincial government is calling for province-wide consultations, including a review of climate impacts from Energy East.
A chase after a shoplifter on the West Side caused a bit of a stir in the Fairvale Boulevard area around 2pm yesterday.
Sergeant Jay Henderson explains employees at the hardware store saw the man stealing---and when he left the store, they got in a car and chased him onto Greystone Terrace, where they boxed in his vehicle.
The man tried to flee and was picked up in the backseat of another vehicle a short distance away.
He left a 2 year old baby and an intoxicated woman in the car. He's now facing charges, and the baby was taken into protective custody by the Department of Social Development.
Laughter and tears as 23 middle and high school students spent a few hours celebrating big accomplishments.
The 2014 Turnaround Achievement Awards for the Saint John Education centre held tonight at Lily Lake Pavilion.
15 year old Brandon Humphrey-McCashion of Fundy Shores School overcame a hip injury and discovered a love for wheelchair basketball and now plays for the provincial team.
He says it gave him a purpose to be able to go an play basketball instead of watching his friends play sports.
18 year old Trevian Snow of Harbour View High has battled depression and has advice for other students who struggle with it.
He says keep trying and never give up hope because once you push through these tough times you will be the best person anyone has every met.
Anglophone South Community Engagement Co-ordinator Erika Lane says it's inspiring to see the impact of teachers and principals have in the lives of their students.
She says they know their teachers, guidance counsellors and principals are behind them 100 per cent and beyond that the greater community which speaks volumes to them.
The event's guest speaker Spencer Mason spoke of his own struggles with drug addiction and coming through the other side to find happiness in marriage, school and in operating a business.
Voice Found Saint John hosting a walk in the uptown tomorrow in memory of a Saint Johner who fought for those without a voice.
Elsie McGraw dreamt of seeing local victims of child sexual abuse find the help they need but died unexpectedly earlier this year.
Local advocate Jessie Lanigan tells CHSJ News she met Elsie at a walk she organized last year and showed her a whole new way to raise awareness.
She says being around people who have similar experiences is powerful and uplifting adding they understand why you are the way you are and what you have been through.
The Elsie McGraw Memorial Walk is coming up tomorrow afternoon at 430pm.
If you want to take part, meet at the King Square bandstand and you are encouraged to wear red.
For more info on Voice Found, click here
The Kennebecasis Regional Police Force is updating their plan for the next 5 years--and as part of that, they're looking for your input.
If you, or anyone you know, would like to offer your opinion as to the future direction of the police department, you're being asked to submit your thoughts via email.
They're particularly interested in what you believe their priorities should be and how you propose they handle them.
You can send you emails to debi.stewart@nbpolice.ca until June 6.
The New Brunswick Federation of Labour is warning changes to how appeals by injured workers are heard will make it harder for them to get compensation.
Instead of a three person panel which includes a labour representative, the appeal will be heard by a lawyer.
Lawrence McKay of the Federation's Occupational Health, Safety and Environment Committee tells CHSJ News the Workers Compensation Board has found itself on the losing end of appeals which means its policies have been contravening the Act. He suspects these changes are mean't to change the outcomes.
McKay predicts the changes will make appealing compensation decisions more expensive and could be beyond the reach of injured workers who are not unionised.
Saint John Transit has been cut to the bone and any further reductions will come at the expense of bus service being reduced.
That warning from Transit General Manager Frank McCarey who says he knows from first hand experience, the last round of cuts is still being felt. He says a person who works in his dentist's office used to take the bus but then bought a car after the last round of cuts and likely won't be back.
McCarey says cleanliness on board buses has suffered because of staffing reductions and, for the first time he can remember, certain routes had to be missed because there weren't enough buses to put on the road.
Maintenance costs are up by 10 per cent because the buses are getting old and need more upkeep to stay on the road with some of them over 20 years of age.
If you want to buy a home, you'll have a wide array of choices at a good price.
Canada Mortgage and Housing is predicting housing starts will decline both this year and in 2015 in Saint John, Moncton and Fredericton. Slow demand for housing being caused by weak economic and employment growth.
A downward trend is also expected this year and next in the resale market with new listings at historically high levels.
The vacancy rate for rentals will stay high.
NDP Fredericton North candidate Brian Duplessis is calling for a crack-down on drug use among drivers. Duplessis says it's especially important given the trend toward legalizing marijuana.
The NDP also wants tougher penalties for repeat impaired drivers, including automatic license suspensions for failed tests, mandatory alcohol interlocks for any drunk driving conviction, and stiffer fines the more convictions you have.
According to a MADD study, one-third of young Canadians think driving stoned is safer than driving drunk.
Another sign that we're marching--slowly, but surely--toward summer.
The New Brunswick government has announced it's wrapping up its River Watch operations, which allowed New Brunswickers to call a hotline or check the website for updated flood conditions.
Water levels have now fallen well below flood stage and are expected to keep going down.
The spring freshet caused major flooding in Sussex, but fortunately, it wasn't as bad as expected in Perth Andover and elsewhere.
A suburban car prowler managed to make off with some pricey electronics--but not for long.
Sergeant Jay Henderson explains they got a call from a citizen with a description of the 24 year old who was checking cars on the Rothesay Road.
When they pulled him over near Ashburn Road, he was found to have an Government of NB-issue laptop and an iPhone, both of which are believed to have been stolen.
He was also found to be wanted on a province-wide warrant. he'll be appearing in court later this afternoon.
If you happened to buy a ticket in Sussex for last night's Lotto 649 draw, you could be 7 million dollars richer.
Atlantic Lottery is telling us a ticket sold in Sussex for last night's draw is worth that much.
A collision between a car and a hydro pole on the east side has closed a portion of Loch Lomand Road at Little River in both directions.
Drivers are being advised to take the Airport Arterial or Eldersley Avenue.
It will be a while before the road is reopened because the hydro pole has to be removed first before the car can be towed.
Power has also been disrupted in that area and is not expected to be restored until later this morning.
A decision is not expected until sometime next year from Repsol on whether it will proceed with building a $2 billion plant at Canaport L-N-G to export natural gas to Europe.
Bloomberg News is reporting Repsol, which is the largest energy company in Spain, is at least giving consideration to the possibility because of unease in Europe over its dependence on Russian natural gas after the upheavel and violence in the Ukraine.
Premier David Alward has told CHSJ News when he met with more than 20 ambassadors from the European Union, they were primarily asking him about exporting energy from Saint John.
Canaport LNG has reportedly been underutilised as a facility to import liquified natural gas.
As expected, there has been a slight increase in the price of gas after the weekly setting.
Self serve regular in the city is selling for $1.35.2 a litre with diesel at $1.37.6.
The maximum price for heating oil has also increased to $1.25.8 a litre but propane is a bit cheaper at $1.05.
More forests and habitat for moose, deer, and bear is going to be protected in the Musquash area west of Saint John.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada has purchased 4 new sites for conservation around the Musquash Estuary totalling 435 hectares. Saint John MP Rodney Weston tells CHSJ News just because an area is protected doesn't mean that people can't fish there or use it for other activities.
The funds came from Canada's Natural Areas Conservation Program. The forests around the Musquash Estuary contain old stands of red spruce and cedar, as well as being a habitat for various wildlife species.
A 20 year old has pleaded guilty to all charges in the robbery of Cathy's Convenience in Barnesville on March 7.
Gregg Peter Naves admitted entering store with an accomplice and a pellet gun, demanding that the store owner empty the till. Naves set the gun on the counter in order to get the money. The store owner then grabbed it, and managed to herd the thieves out, barring the door with a large stick.
The store owner received blows to the head. Naves will be back in court for sentencing on June 20.
You might have seen the attack ads the Alward government has started running on TV, criticizing the Opposition for their so-called "moratorium on jobs" and harkening back to mistakes supposedly made by former Liberal leader Shawn Graham.
Liberal MLA for Charlotte the Isles Rick Doucet tells CHSJ News American-style attack ads are out of step with what New Brunswickers want to hear.
Doucet says if the Alward government had really done a good job they could rely on that to get votes in the September election, not smearing the Opposition.
Meantime, the premier has said that the Liberals have demonstrated they're opposed to development in New Brunswick.
The Legislature winding down with a heated exchange between Premier David Alward and the Liberal Leader Brian Gallant as we head into a summer election campaign.
Gallant saying the Alward Government has done nothing to create jobs and grow the economy, saying the affordability of the daily lives of New Brunswickers has taken a beating under his leadership. The Liberal Leader calling out the Premier to take responsibility for his so-called failed mandate.
Alward responding by bringing up the former Liberal Government and talking about his government's plan to move forward with development of natural resources like shale gas development, mining, forestry, and the pipeline.
He says the reality is that the fall election, more than many in the past, will make a difference in the future of the province.
A whole new industry could spring up from have a health science research centre built at the Regional Hospital.
That possibility has been raised by Premier David Alward and Provincial Health Minister Ted Flemming tells CHSJ News he's already had meetings with people interested in coming to Saint John.
Flemming says he has talked to drug companies, research companies and technology firms and they're impressed with what they see here including the low cost of housing.
Sergeant Jay Henderson tells CHSJ News copper thieves have been at it again--this time, getting a bigger haul than usual.
The thieves made off with 250 pounds of copper that was stored on a spool in an outside yard at a Chesley Drive business.
The Major Crime Unit is investigating these thefts, which have been escalating over the past months in all areas of the city.
Police Chief Bill Reid painting a picture of little wiggle room for cuts in their budget in the City's service review exercise looking at a zero per cent wage increase next and two per cent.
Chief Reid came with a presentation that shows the force needing a 6.6 per cent budget increase or $1.5 million dollars just to maintain the status quo.
He explained what the force would look like with an increase of two per cent and he had to ability to lay people off.
He says the public will see slower service, the court system will probably see shoddy investigations and in the end it would mean the police service would be an organization that is not being run properly.
The approved operating budget of the Saint John police for 2013 was over $22 million and for 2014 it's over $23 million.
The force has 147 officers, 24 civilians in administrative roles and 8 managers.
The Alward Government says it wants to take medical research to the next level in the province with construction of a health science centre at the Regional Hospital.
The building will be constructed where the visitor parking is located now.It will be run by a new non-profit crown corporation under the chairmanship of former Board of Trade President Bob Manning who tells CHSJ news the potential here is huge to be a key driver of economic growth not only in Saint John but for the province as a whole.
The building will also be used to house out of town patients and their families if they're here for any extended period of time and the hope is that businesses will set up shop. Manning promises any displaced parking spaces will be replaced.
Manning says the university and hospital should be considered as one campus.
A 53-year-old man being arrested after a joint investigation by Child Exploitation Units in New Brunswick and Saskatchewan.
The man from Carlyle, Saskatchewan is facing multiple charges including possession of child pornography and sending sexual material to a person under the age of 18 to facilitate the commission of an offense.
RCMP say the alleged victim is a girl from this province and the man's name isn't being released right now to protect the child's identity. He will be making a court appearance in a few weeks time.
Police seizing more than 350 marijuana plants, a stolen ATV and unsecured firearms after searching a home in Lakeville.
A 48-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy being arrested, questioned and then released with a promise that they will appear in court in late August.
If you have information on people who are growing pot, the Mounties urging you to report it by calling them at 506-387-2222 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at www.crimenb.ca or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
A new name being unveiled for a group that's been helping immigrants to the Port City transition into their new lives for more than 20 years.
The YMCA Settlement Services is now known as Newcomer Connections, which Director Jill Keliher tells CHSJ News is a name that better reflects what they do and why they do it.
Keliher says one of the most valuable gifts they can offer newcomers in Saint John is connections to those in the city who are already established. She says it takes the entire community to welcome newcomers. Newcomer Connections offers English language training,
job preparation, counseling and referrals to the city's immigrants.
The announcement being made to a packed house at the Lily Lake Pavilion.
An online petition is making the rounds over a staffing decision at Champlain Heights Elementary School.
The President of the Home and School Association Jill Liu says they are asking for a review of the choice not to promote Vice-Principal Ellen Murphy to the position of Principal.
Liu says Murphy is the obvious choice in her eyes, calling her more than qualified for the position and tells CHSJ News Murphy has now resigned from her position as Vice-Principal.
She hopes to see the petition reach, and even exceed 1000 votes and says they will be bringing it to the school board.
Our newsroom reaching out to Superintendent of the Anglophone South School District Zoe Watson for comment, but she says they cannot discuss the matter as it's a personnel issue. You can see the petition for yourself by clicking here.
The Home First policy came about because of a study that was done four years ago predicted unless there was a change, within a decade every acute care hospital bed in the province would be occupied by a senior waiting for transfer to long term care.
Premier David Alward tells CHSJ News keeping seniors in their own homes longer depends on having the proper support in place and he acknowledges home care workers aren't earning enough.
Over 7 million dollars will be spent in the first year on Home First care.
Its estimated by 2030, the demographics show workers in the province will be outnumbered by people who aren't working.
Despite a sluggish economy, tourism in Saint John didn't fare all that badly when compared to other cities in the Maritimes.
The money spent by visitors last year in Saint John reached an all-time high of more than 223 million dollars even though the total number of tourists went down to almost 1.6 million because fewer cruise ships made stops in the city.
Hotel room sales went up by 5 per cent during the main tourism season while they were down by 2.7 per cent in the province overall.
The number of visitors to attractions in the city rose by almost 4 per cent to 323 thousand.
40 thousand Russian soldiers are moving back to their home bases from the border regions with the Ukraine. This is being perceived as Russian President Vladimir Putin trying to ease tensions with the West over Ukraine.
Meantime, Provincial NDP leader Dominic Cardy has been selected to be one of the many monitors for the upcoming election in the Ukraine to determine it's conducted fairly or not.
Cardy has had experience as an election observer in Egypt, Pakistan, Bangladash and Cambodia.
With the first graduating class of Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick from the medical school on the campus of U-N-B Saint John being honoured over the weekend, it's hoped some of them, if not most, will set up shop in the province.
There are hundreds of research projects underway at Horizon Health. Saint John Doctor Neil Manson of the Orthopedics Department at the Regional Hospital will be studying the effect of coping with pain that is part and parcel of spinal surgeries.
Dr. Manson tells CHSJ News the people who can best handle pain will have better outcomes and it depends not only on how fit you are but also on mental and social fitness.
Dr. Manson and Dr. Edward Abraham are receiving grant money from the Chesley Research Fund for their study on the psychological risk factors that lead to poor outcomes after spinal surgeries.
Some have called it a contradiction to promote our beautiful forests to tourists, then introduce a forestry plan that drastically increases clear cutting.
Yet Premier David Alward tells CHSJ News those things aren't mutually exclusive.
The Premier tells CHSJ News our forests are going to continue to be New Brunswick's greatest asset under the new forestry plan. He says he need to be able to assure people that the plan is responsible--and that it really will attract hundreds of millions of dollars in private sector investment, as has been advertised.
The new forestry plan reduces the amount of protected old growth forest and deer habitat from 30% to 23%, and allows for 20% more softwood to be cut annually on Crown land.
From the Queen Square Farmer's Market to concerts in the King Square bandstand, our parks have been getting more use in recent years for public events.
Operations Manager Michael Hugenholtz recently spoke to common council as part of their services review. He says they need a 2.5% increase in next year's budget to keep doing what they're doing in the same way.
Another option, in lieu of budget cuts, would be to increase user fees.
One recent survey indicated that 91% of Saint Johners say they're happy with our park services.
A warm welcome to Nova Scotia for Prince Charles and his wife Camilla.
Hundreds gathered to catch a glimpse of the royal couple during an event in downtown Halifax on Victoria Day.
The Prince of Wales spoke fondly of Canada, including an unexpected stop 42 years ago stop in Halifax when he was in the Royal Navy.
He says his visit was due to an act of God..a mechanical failure on the ship he was serving on.
He says a fishing net and rope got caught on the propeller shaft. The Prince joked that it was an American net of course.
The second leg of the tour involves a short visit to PEI.
Fewer New Brunswickers getting university degrees since a peak in 2007, but more international students coming to the region continuing to reverse that trend. That's according to a new report by the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission, and CEO Mireille Duguay tells us those numbers will keep holding steady.
She says for the next few years we can expect stable numbers in various institutions based on the numbers they have been tracking in the past 5 or 6 years.
Duguay says while there has been a drop in the number of undergraduate degrees granted over the last five years, the number of Master's degrees granted going up by 22-percent over the same time period.
A theme is emerging as the Conservatives campaign for the September 22nd provincial election as they accuse the Liberals of having no plan for economic development.
They denounce their call for a moratorium on shale gas development as a moratorium on jobs and Provincial Health Minister Ted Flemming says they have a record of being reckless spenders, judging by the previous government.
That's being echoed by fellow cabinet member Trevor Holder of Saint John Portland who says the Liberals spent money like drunken sailors when they last were in office.
According to Flemming, the Alward Government, when it took office after the last provincial election, found itself saddled with a projected deficit of 968 million dollars.
From 1980 to 2009, governments in Canada have doled out a total of $683.9 billion in subsidies. The big question is whether this government largesse is really needed.
That's the result of a new study by the Fraser Institute. That works out to $1,507 per taxpayer in 2009 for subsidies alone.
Quebec spent the most on government subsidies, followed by Alberta, and Ontario. Prince Edward Island spent the least. While fans of subsidies argue that taxpayer money is needed to correct market failure and support new businesses, many of the businesses that end up receiving the cash are well established....and have more cash-on-hand than what they get from the government.
According to study author Mark Milke, governments need to raise the veil of secrecy over repayment records, and how the money ends up being spent.
A program to help youth find help for any problem they may be struggling with getting its official launch in Hampton, the KV and in Saint John.
Pam Miller of the Anglophone South School District tells CHSJ News it came about as a provincial initiative after tragedy impacting some young people in Grand Falls.
The community felt it important for many groups to come together like social development, mental health, parents to figure out what they could do to help their youth make good decisions about their future.
Miller says the program does receive support for the Department of Healthy and Inclusive Communities.
Miller and Public Health Nurse Thelma Miller recently gave a presentation to Rothesay Town Council.
For more info, click here.
For some kids, school is tough.
The Anglophone South School District with help from some partners singles out those students every year who changed their fortunes. Superintendent Zoe Watson explains the concept of the Turnaround Awards.
She says the award recognizes a significant turnaround by a student in this school year. Watson says the change can academic, social or behavioral or a combination of all three.
The awards are being handed out in three regions with the St. Stephen event is tomorrow night at St. Stephen High.
The Saint John awards night is this Thursday at the Lily Lake Pavilion at 630pm and the Hampton event is on the 29th.
Banks have a high ranking with Canadian public opinion.
New studies, released by the Canadian Bankers Association, find we're happy and even proud of our banks.
With new technology and specialized financial packages for everyone, banking has become more accessible than ever.
Overall, the majority of people feel they have enough choice with banking services to be able to meet their needs.
76 per cent of people surveyed believe banks do a good job of protecting their privacy.
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| CHSJ News file photo |
The Royal Tour is underway in Halifax with Charles and Camilla arriving in the City last night.
The biggest event with the Royals happens at Grand Parade today with Governor General David Johnson and Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil giving the official welcome.
Thousands of spectators are expected with a band and choir performance.
The couple will explore parts of the city separately before spending some time in Pictou County and after that head to PEI and then on to Manitoba.
When it comes to knowledge about proper tire inflation, a new survey revealing some of our tanks are running pretty low.
While 99-percent of us here in Atlantic Canada are aware of the importance of tire inflation, Carolyn Goard of the Rubber Association of Canada tells CHSJ News 59-percent of drivers in the Maritimes do not measure their tire pressure monthly which is alarming because they like to encourage people to test their pressure biweekly at least.
The report also showing nearly a third of us incorrectly inflate our tires to the air pressure stamped on the side of the tire which actually indicates the maximum inflation pressure and that 69-percent don't know tire pressure should only be measured when the wheels are cold.
After a winter for the record books, many boaters are anxious to get back on the water and one organization has some safety tips to make sure your long weekend of fun doesn't turn tragic.
BoatSmart President Cameron Taylor says the importance of wearing a life-jacket can't be overemphasized saying more and more people seem to be sporting them. But unfortunately he says in about 79-percent of boating drownings the people who died were not wearing an approved PFD or life-jackets.
And remember to stay sober when you're operating a boat as alcohol is a factor in about four out of 10 boating deaths.
You should also make sure you have your BoatSmart operator card, which Cameron says is required by law and if you don't have it you can face a minimum $250 fine. He says going through the process of getting your card will teach you what you need to know about boating safely. To get the card, click here.
May 18th is International Museums Day--which means you and the kids get free admission to the New Brunswick Museum.
Permanent exhibits at the NBM include the Bay of Fundy, ancient creatures and artwork from around the world.
Right now, there's a temporary exhibition called Small Town, Big Fashion: Fashion from Southeastern New Brunswick from 1860 – 1960, as well as quilts by John Corey.
For more information, call 643-2300 or click here
If you're down along the waterfront at lunchtime, it won't be as quiet as it normally is on Sundays because of the Loyalist Day Gun Salute which will be taking place at noonhour from the Marco Polo Cruise Terminal.
Members of the 3rd Field Regiment, the Loyal Company, have fired gun salutes annually to recognize the landing of the Loyalists since 1793. Captain Andrew Melvin is troop commander and he says Saint John is the only city in Canada that's honoured with a 21 gun salute.
Premier David Alward and Mayor Mel Norton will also be on hand. Saint Johners are being encouraged to attend.
While you might feel like letting loose this long weekend, RCMP reminding you to adopt a different attitude if you're getting behind the wheel.
As part of Road Safety Week, police in New Brunswick will be conducting traffic stops on roads and highways throughout the province as there's usually more traffic on holiday weekends which increases the likelihood of car crashes.
Staff Sergeant James Bates of Traffic Services says you should wear your seat-belt, drive sober and put down the cell phones and iPods to reduce the risk of a crash.
Of the 38 fatal crashes that New Brunswick RMCP responded to last year, seven of them involved alcohol or drugs.
As devastating wildfires rage in Southern California, Canadians might be feeling pretty lucky that we don't see those kind of natural disasters very often.
But the fact is that unusually severe weather events are a fact of life North of the border as well.
In 2013, major flooding, fires, and other natural disasters across Canada caused insurers to pay out a record 3.2 billion in claims,and 2014 could be another record-breaker. Canada gets about 5,000 earthquakes every year, and flooding has been a major issue throughout the Maritimes as well as the prairies.
While extreme weather obviously isn't in your control,you can make a plan of what to do if you hear a storm is coming your way, because educating yourself is the best way to protect yourself and your family.
A 66 year-old New Brunswick woman is dead after an incident on the water last night.
The woman was using an inflatable dingy in Marshville, Nova Scotia. Police say she got caught in the current and changing tides which began carrying her out into the Northumberland Strait.
Fire crews, paramedics and the Canadian Coast Guard were each called in to help but by the time they located the woman she was unconscious. The woman, believed to be from Moncton, was later pronounced dead at a hospital in New Glasgow.
Police are not releasing her name or any other details. They are trying to make sure the family has been notified.
May 17 is the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia.
The observance celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. It originated in Quebec in 2003 and is now marked in countries around the world.
Homosexuals are still treated as criminals in 77 countries, and being gay carries the death penalty in six countriesand in parts of Nigeria and Somalia. Brunei introduced death by stoning this year.
A recent poll showed 74% of Canadians know someone who is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
