Provincial Energy Minister Before the Board of Trade

(Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir)

(File Photo)

Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir is expected to make the case this morning for the revised, downscale version of the NB Power deal with Hydro Quebec before the Saint John Board of Trade. Keir says one big concern he has heard is who will control energy policy in the future. Keir says the province retains control of both the transmission and distribution systems as well as regulating rates. As such, he argues consumers should not fear huge rate increases after the five year rate freeze comes to an end. Keir vows you will see more projects in the Saint John energy hub with lower power rates and reduced taxes.
The Board of Trade expressed some concerns about the original proposal but has not staked out a position yet on the revise 3.2 billion dollar agreement.

Harbour Bridge Repairs

(Common Councillor Chris Titus)

(File Photo)

A Common Councillor is looking to gain the support of the provincial government to fund repairs on the Harbour Bridge. Chris Titus is submitting a motion to ask the province to agree to cost share the cost of repairs to the bridge with the federal government.If the province gets on board, Titus is suggesting the project get started this year. Also, in the motion is a request to Provincial Conservative leader David Alward to include repairs on the Harbour Bridge in his party platform in the September election. Common Council meets tonight in the council chambers at 6:30.

Local Craft Fair at Lily Lake Pavillion

A Saint John teenager is looking to raise some cash to help build a school in Sri Lanka.

17 year old Zoe Caddell and Anna Duncan have organized a local arts and craft fair at the Lily Lake Pavillion on behalf of Free the Children.
Caddell tells CHSJ news, the goal is to raise money to build a school, but to also get people thinking about buying local.
Things get underway today at noon at the Lily Lake Pavillion.

Cruise Symposium Coming to the Port City

For the first time since 1998, Saint John will host the Canada New England Cruise Symposium.
Over 225 participants will be in the city to hear industry experts talk about trends in the industry.
Betty MacMillan of Saint John Port Authority tells CHSJ news they expect the new cruise ship season to bring in about 30 million dollars with more passengers than last year.
The first call of the new cruise ship season is in late May with the symposium coming up in June at the Trade and Convention Centre.

Kids Guide at New Brunswick Museum

The New Brunswick Museum at Market Square got some help from grade 4 and 5 students at Prince Charles School in puting together a kids guide to the Museum. Wendy Martindale is head of community services at the museum. She tells CHSJ News the perspective of children differs from that of adults.
Martindale says it's hoped the kids guide will result in more young people becoming interested in what's going on at the museum.

Home Renovation Tax Credit Ends Tonight

[M-P Rodney Weston---File Photo]

A popular program aiming to put money back into the economy by giving citizens money for home renovations is coming to an end tonight.
Saint John M-P Rodney Weston tells CHSJ News, he's not sure if there are any discussions to extend the Home Renovations Tax Credit, but he's heard a lot of positive feedback about it.
Weston says the program did exactly what it set out to do.
Weston says since he's not privy to discussions between Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and Prime Minister Harper, he's not sure what the status of extending the program is.

Radio Renovations Week Four

Skate to Care

It's not just officials at the Regional Hospital Foundation getting geared up for this years Investors Group Skate to Care. Angela Morris is getting Musquash ready to stage it's own event. This is the fourth year they have done it, the second where they registered. Morris tells CHSJ News, it's plenty of fun for the entire community:

Morris says last year theye raised $2400 dollars and hope to get close to $3000 next month.

Provincial Leaders Recognize Senate Appointment

[M-L-A Rose-May Poirer----File Photo]

The Premier is extending his congratulations to recent senate appointee New Brunswick MLA Rose-May Poirer.
Shawn Graham says although the two have disagreed on public policy matters in the past, he has always held Poirer in high regard for her work on behalf of the province.
Poirer will be one of the newest members of the senate as of February 28th.
Provincial Tory Leader David Alward is also congratulating Poirer on the recent appointment.

New Brunswick Student Alliance Responds to State of the Province Address

The New Brunswick Student Alliance is pleased with the Premiers commitment to make post secondary education more affordable.
During the State of the Province Address, Premier Graham said twice his government will be working to further expand programs on students loans, and will make post secondary education more affordable for students.
President Duncan Gallant says it's necessary the Graham Government follow through on the commitments because right now many students do not qualify for the student debt cap, or the timely completion benefit.

Energy Minister Jack Keir at Harbour Station

Senator Pleased With New Appointments

Senator John Wallace says it's good the Senate is finally at par with the House of Commons in terms of Tory representatives.

Wallace tells CHSJ News, the new appointments will allow government legislation through the Senate, because the Liberal Government no longer has more seats than the Tories.
Wallace says the new Senators will allow more justice related legislation to pass.
He says a a bill will be moved soon to cap a Senators run at 8 years, and also to make a Senate seat a vote based position.

Upgrades to Video System at Harbour Station

[Energy Minister Jack Keir----Photo by Dave Briggs]

The Energy Minister was in town for what he calls a pleasure to announce.
All three level of governments are kicking in over $350 thousand dollars to upgrade the video system at Harbour Station.
Jack Keir says when the call went out for funding, he and colleague M-L-A Roly McIntryre took it to the Premier and said it's an important project for the city, but for Harbour Station and the Seadogs.
The updated scoreboard will feature HD technology, and Mayor Ivan Court says now the scoreboard will reflect the same quality off the ice as there is on the ice.
The project is estimated to be completed before March 31st, 2011.

Harbour Bridge Discussions Continue

[Saint John M-P Rodney Weston----Photo by Dave Briggs]

Saint John M-P Rodney Weston says discussions are still on going with the province and the Harbour Bridge Authority about the funding issue.

Weston tells CHSJ News, the end isn't here, but hopefully close.
Weston says the Harbour Bridge has been the topic of most of the conversations he has been having lately, specifically with Minister Keith Ashfield, who is responsible for the Atlantic Gateway.

No Complaints About Closing Schools

District 8 isn't receiving any phone calls about why school was closed today.

This comes after receiving several complaints from parents on Monday, when the expected bad weather never showed up.
A spokesperson for the district tells CHSJ News, everyone seems to be in agreement that closing schools today was the right decision.
This is the second day this week schools in District 8 and 6 were closed due to weather, and only the second snow day of the year.

Highway One Disruption of Traffic

Construction of the One Mile Interchange will be disrupting traffic along Highway One in the vicinity of Crown Street this afternoon. Andrew Holland of the Provincial Transportation Department tells CHSJ News traffic will be closed both ways along the highway around 2:00 to allow for blasting and the subsequent cleanup. Holland doesn't expect the highway in that area to be blocked for anymore than 20 minutes.

Weathermaker Surprises Saint John

(File Photo)

Saint John is expected to wind up with 10 to 15 centimeters of snow with higher totals in the K-V and Sussex from the latest weathermaker. Jeremy March of Environment Canada tells CHSJ News the storm system turned out to be more intense than was originally forecast. March warns it will turn windy and alot colder this afternoon as well. All schools are closed today in Districts 6 and 8. Just the mainland schools will be closed today in District 10 and exams scheduled for today will be held on Monday. Samuel de Champlain in District 1 will also be shut down for the day.

Sergeant Mark Gallagher's Funeral in Woodstock

(Sergeant Mark Gallagher)

(File Photo)

Friends, family and hundreds of police officers from across the country have remembered a Mountie from this province who was killed in the devastating earthquake in Haiti. About 700 police officers marched in a procession to St. Gertrude's Roman Catholic Church in Woodstock before the R-C-M-P regimental funeral for Sergeant Mark Gallagher. His friend, Reverend Karl Ingersoll, spoke of a man who dedicated his life to serving others. His wife Lisa spoke of a man with a generous heart who was conflicted about his service in Haiti and spoke of the overwhelming poverty he saw there. Some 350 people packed the small brick church for the service, while an overflow of mourners watched the funeral on television at a local civic centre in Woodstock and at the Moncton Wesleyan Church.

Energy Minister Apologizes

(Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir)

(File Photo)

Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir has apologized to the legislature after earlier claiming N-B Power president David Hay voted in favour of a 3.2-(b)-billion-dollar electricity deal with Hydro-Quebec. Keir says he was given the wrong information in a staff briefing and later found out Hay had actually abstained from the vote. Opposition Energy critic Paul Robichaud is suggesting the reason Hay abstained is that he doesn't support the NB Power deal. Hay is saying one way or the other.

Premier's State of the Province Address

(Premier Shawn Graham)

(File Photo)

Premier Shawn Graham says his government has been pressing ahead with reforms and should have done a better job communicating. Graham says his state of the province speech last night was an effort to better explain the changes his government has made, and connect the dots to the goal of creating self-sufficiency. The Premier also says communities in New Brunswick will be able to generate their own electricity and sell it to N-B Power. Only brief details of the plan last night as part of his state of the province address. Graham says it will mean more renewable energy generated within the province and help meet objectives of his government's climate action plan. Further details will be announced in a few weeks.
About 150 opponents to the deal to sell assets of N-B Power to Hydro-Quebec protested outside prior to the speech.