Details on Canaport LNG Accidental Vapor Release

(File Photo of Canaport LNG Facility)

We have a few more details today about an incident that happened at the Canaport LNG Terminal on Saturday afternoon. It was during a planned maintenance procedure around noon time when there was a release of vapor and LNG into the safety release flare system. The vapor cloud and large flare lasted for about ten minutes and no one was hurt but employees were sent to the nearest safety areas as a pre-caution. There were no vessels berthed at the time and the all clear was given just over an hour later.

Officials are in the process of conducting a root cause analysis to see where improvements can be made to make sure incidents like this don’t happen again.

Unemployed Union Works Head to Provincial Capital

Unionized unemployed labourer's protesting against out of Province workers at Canaport LNG are taking their fight to Fredericton. They will be on the steps of the Legislature when the fall session gets started on the 17th of next month. Shawn McAdam speaks on behalf of several men from different unions and tells CHSJ News, they don't want to lose their jobs.

C.L.A.C is the Christian Labourers Association of Canada and the protestors are upset people from that organization have been hired to work on the third storage tank at the LNG facility. McAdam adds the protests will continue leading up to their demonstration at the Legislature next month.

Liberals Gear Up for Next Year's Provincial Election

Now that some of the Federal Election talk has cooled down, it won't be long before we are smack in the middle of a Provincial Vote. September.27th is the day we go to the polls and the Graham Government continues to prepare. We know that Saint John East MLA Roly MacIntyre is stepping down from his post and Premier Graham tells CHSJ News, he won't be easy to replace. There is still no word on who the replacement candidate will be for Roly.

Energy Minister Jack Keir has confirmed to our news-room he will re-offer in the fall and Premier Graham adds they are always on the look-out for women interested in a political life.

Final Budget Consultation to be Held Tonight

With less than two months before the Graham Government hands down its budget, the last of five pre-budget consultation meetings takes place tonight in Fredericton. Finance Minister Greg Byrne and Post Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Donald Arsenault will be on hand. Both were in Saint John last week and Minister Byrne tells CHSJ News, it's important to take the public consultations to rural areas to find out how the public wants to deal with the upcoming budget.


As of right now the province is looking at a $741 million dollar deficit for the 2010-2011 budget. Tonight’s meeting gets started at seven o’clock.

Saint John Mayor Confident Tax Rate Won't Rise

The city manager will be providing the mayor and council with the prospective numbers for Saint John's year end budget tonight. Mayor Ivan Court says the goal is to maintain, or lower, the tax rate for next year.

Court says he is going to be optimistic about holding the tax rate. He says between the operating and capital budgets, all of the projects the city plans on having completed by years-end fall within the two. The year end numbers are up for discussion at tonight's council meeting.

City Staff Seek Upgrades to Spruce Lake Water Treatment Facility

Common Council will be asked for early approval on a 1.3 million dollar project dueing tonight's council meeting. Commissioner of Muncipal Operations Paul Groody is asking council to give upgrades to the Spruce Lake Water Treatment Facility early approval. The project is a top priority in the citys 2010 Water and Sewerage Utility Capital Program. Upgrades include replacing two pumps, and installing a back up diesel generator---at a cost of more than one million dollars.The design cost has a price tag of $220 thousand dollars, and the city will be hiring Dillon Consulting Limited to oversee that phase.

This will be up for discussion at tonight's council meeting getting underway at 6:30.

Loch Lomond Villa Wins Award

The Loch Lomond Villa is an award winner. It won the 2009 Logue Memorial Award from the Third Age Centre at St. Thomas University. CEO Cindy Donovan says the award recipients must show a long-term committment and dedication to seniors in the community.
The award was presented to the Loch Lomond Villa on October 1st-The International Day of Older Persons.

Break In on the West Side

Few details are available after a break in on the West Side last night.
City police say two men are in custody after allegedly breaking into CJ's Hydraulics on Fairville Boulevard.
Police say items were stolen, but the reports are not complete yet.
There were no injuries during the incident.

Car Burned

A man having car troubles got more than he bargained for after leaving it on the side of the road while he headed home from work.

The Fire Department was called to Grandview Avenue around 9 o'clock to find a Chevy impala on fire.
The passenger side of the vehicle suffered heavy damage, and the owner says the fire may have been sparked by mechanical problems.
City police say they are not ruling out arson just yet.

Search Almost Over

An announcement is expected soon from the Town of Quispamsis. This as it's search for a new manager for it's Q-Plex Facility is nearing completion. Town Manager Mike Brennan tells CHSJ News, they received 50 applications from every Province across the country.
The interview process is now complete and the Personnel Committee is going over the final list of candidates for further review.

Getting Your Vehicle Ready for Winter

[Canadian Automobile Association Logo----File Photo]
Is your vehicle ready for winter yet? The Canadian Automobile Association with a reminder to those behind the wheel that the cold season is coming and it wouldn't hurt to get an all-points inspection. Vice-President Gary Howard tells CHSJ News, the next thought should be your tires.
Howard adds an emergency kit goes along way as well. Among the things it should contain include a blanket, water, non-perishable food, flares and a cell-phone.

Common Council Asked to Ban Cell Phones While Driving

Chatting on the phone while making your daily commute may become a thing of the past sometime in our near future, as the use of cellphones and driving may meet a province wide ban. A letter submitted to Common Council asks council to adopt a resolution to urge the Provincial government to take the appropriate steps in banning cellphones while driving. Many provinces across the country have already put cellphone bans into effect, claiming the devices as an unacceptable distraction.



Common Council will discuss the matter at tomorrow nights meeting.

Highlights Of Tour Of Cruise Ship Environmental Programs

Local media and an environmentalist were given an inside look at environmental friendly policies onboard Princess Cruises' the "Crown Princess" during a stop in the city on Friday - October 09, 2009 in the wake of the ship being given a poor grade by the environmental group "Friends of the Earth."

Canaport Fire

(Flame can be seen just over top of crane on harbour front - photo submitted)


A fire at the Canaport LNG facility on Red Head Road in Saint John yesterday afternoon. The fire department responded at 12:41 yesterday as a large flame burned at the top of the flare stack. All non-essential personnel were evacuated from the area. Fire officials say a pressure build up is to blame for the huge flame and vapour cloud. Fire crews were on the scene for an hour and a half.
There was no damage to the facility.

Car Break In's

Early morning car theft have youth in trouble. Three Quispamsis youth were caught breaking in to vehicles at 2:30 last night in the Quispamsis Elementary area. Police says the youth were found with stolen goods on them. The youth will appear in court at a later date.

Accident Near Catherwood

The westbound Catherwood exit was the site of an accident last night. A dodge pick up lost control in the area, going off the road and rolling into a nearby field. The driver, a 35 year old male, was thrown from the vehicle and remains in hospital in serious condition. Police says speed was most likely a factor in the accident.

Peel Parking Problems

The proposed police headquarters and justice complex North of Union is still causing concern for Uptown Saint John. President Sean O'Neill is asking council to possibly consider putting a turning lane on Dorchester Street to help maintain on street parking. He says by the looks of the plan now, on street parking will be diminished on Wellington Row, Union and Carleton streets. He says on street parking is needed uptown because businesses rely on those spaces. This topic will be up for discussion Tuesday night at Common Council.

Imperial Funding

Two Saint John arts groups are looking for financial support from Quispamsis Town Council.
The Imperial Theatre is looking for $50,000 over 5 years as part of their "Keep It Live" campaign.
Symphony New Brunswick wants $1,000 dollars for this year's season and additional funding from the town's 2010 budget.
The matter was reffered to the town's finance committee for approval.

Stadium Promises

The Province will live up to it's committment to funding for the Canada Games Stadium. That from Premier Shawn Graham who tells CHSJ News, he stands behind Saint John East MLA Roly MacIntyre's word that the stadium renovations will be complete for the Acadian Games in June.

Graham adds that is why they are working with Ottawa to partner with them on some exsisting infrastructure investments which in turn will free up cash to go towards the stadium.

Dwindling MLA's

[Energy Minister Jack Keir----File Photo]

As election fever continues to build around the Province, a quick head count shows the governing Liberals may be getting thin in the ranks. Saint John East MLA Roly MacIntyre will not re-offer and there is speculation a few more MLA's in Greater Saint John may be on the fence about a return to the politicial spot-light. Energy Minister Jack Keir is not one of them and tells CHSJ News, the party isn't done yet.
As for whether or not he has heard from any of his colleague's on their politicial futures.....Keir says no.