Minister Schryer Rolls Out New System

     (Health Minister Schryer Speaks at the Regional)
                 (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

The final report for the Provincial trauma system has been unveiled by Health Minister Mary Schryer. It includes a new toll free trauma line and no-refusal policy which are both expected to be in place by the spring. Schryer says despite a few growing pains.....the system works.
The committee which put together the report was chaired by former health minister Dr. Dennis Furlong and includes senior staff and medical representatives from each regional health authority.

Trauma Center Doctor Speaks to the Media

(Dr. Marcelle Martin at the Podium Speaking at the Regional)
                  (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

Dr. Marcelle Martin is the Director of the Provincial Trauma Care Center and says despite recent claims, he is living in this Province. His position is also under fire after it took 12 hours for a Bathurst woman to receive emergency care at the Regional Hospital after an accident. Dr. Martin admits the current practise of handing out his cell-phone number for consultation doesn't work.
There are 600 critical trauma cases in this Province every year. The new system will see a trauma team physcian leader for the level 1, 2 and 3 centers.

Rothesay Conservative MLA Weighs in on Trauma Set-Up

(Rothesay Conservative MLA Margaret Ann Blaney)
                (File Photo)

One of the people most critical of why it took so long to present the system was on hand for the announcement. Conservative MLA for Rothesay Margaret Ann Blaney tells CHSJ News, the direction that has been outlined is probuably the best way to go.
Blaney adds she agree's with the policy of no-patient refused but is still nervous about the current set-up of Dr. Martin be contacted by cell-phone in an emergency until the toll free trauma line is set up.

More Reaction to Stuart Jaimeson Decision

              (Business Minister Victor Boudreau)
                   (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

Another Minister in the Graham cabinet is weighing in on the loss of Stuart Jamieson. The MLA for Saint John Fundy was asked to resign his Tourism portfolio after saying he felt the NB Power/Hydro Quebec proposal should go toa referendum. Business Minister Victor Boudreau says he believes in this deal and isn't concerned about his political future.


Boudreau adds while he respects Jaimeson and his decision, he broke the confidentiality of cabinet. Boudreau was the guest speaker at a luncheon in Saint John today put on by the Rotary Club.

Saint John Portland MLA Questions Latest Move

(Saint John Portland MLA Trevor Holder)
                 (File Photo)

Saying it's a sad day for democracy, the MLA for Saint John Portland is stunned with the latest move by Premier Graham. Tourism Minister Stuart Jamieson was forced to resign from his cabinet post on Friday in light of his stance on the revised NB Power deal. Jamieson believes the decision should go to a referendum and Trevor Holder tells CHSJ News, in seven and a half years, he can't re-call his government pressuring him to do something he didn't agree with.


CHSJ News has left several messages for the Saint John Fundy MLA to get his reaction but have yet to hear back. Jamieson has told our news room recently he is expected to make a decision on whether or not to re-offer in the fall election by next month.

Radio Renovations Rolling Along

The finish line is in sight as far as the renovations to our radio stations here on King Street is concerned. The walls are in place, a coat of paint has been rolled out and the new carpets are down. Crews from FCC also have a good portion of the electric work done as they now wait for a few more supplies to show to finish up the job.


If everything stays on track, phase one of the $500,000 project should be finished by the end of the month. If you want to get a look at the lay-out, you can go to country94.ca and click news or the wave.ca.

Radio Renovations Week Five

Opposition Leader Claims Premier Is In Crisis Over NB Power Deal

(Provincial Conservative Leader David Alward)

(File Photo)

Provincial Conservative Leader David Alward is renewing his call for an election over the NB Power deal with Hydro Quebec while claiming Premier Shawn Graham finds himself with an internal crisis on his hands. This follows the departure from cabinet of Provincial Tourism Minister Stuart Jamieson who was asked to resign over his position that a public referendum should be held on the revised NB Power agreement.
Alward says the Premier has suffered a direct attack on his leadership over the deal and demonstrates there is not unanimous support within the Liberal caucus for it.
Alward also charges Graham kept his caucus and cabinet in the dark about the deal until it was made public last October.

Man To Be In Court For Shooting In Lower Norton

A 41 year old man from Erbs Cove is going to be in front of a judge this morning in relation to a shooting in Lower Norton. The man, whose name has not been released, will be in Hampton Provincial Court to face a charge in connection to the shooting of a 42 year old man late last week.
The victim was taken to the Regional Hospital on Friday with a gunshot wound and injuries that were believed to be serious.
The Mounties are looking for additional information on the case, and can be contacted at 832-5566 or through Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Public Forums on Proposed NB Power Sale Tonight

The UNB Saint John Faculty of Arts is sponsoring a public forum on the NB Power-Hydro Quebec issue tonight. The speakers will be Prof. Yves Gagnon, Tom Mann who is coordinator for the Coalition of New Brunswickers and professor Greg Marquis. Professor Rob Moir tells CHSJ News, they hope to have an open discussion on the issue. Once the speakers have made their presentations, anyone on hand will have a chance to ask a question. Things gets started at seven o'clock in room 104 Oland Hall.
Along with the public forum at U-N-B Saint John, Qusipamsis M-L-A and Health Minister Mary Schryer will be hosting a public information meeting to discuss the revised agreement to sell some of the assets of NB Power to Hydro Quebec. Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir will be on hand as well. It's scheduled to get underway at 7:00 in St. Mark's Church on the Pettingill Road.

Cost Overruns With Point Lepreau Refurbishment

(Saint John M-P Rodney Weston)

(File Photo)

With the Province threatening court action against Atomic Energy Limited of Canada for cost over-runs at Point Lepreau, the MP for Saint John says a solution is on the table. Rodney Weston says in a recent meeting with Energy Minister Keir, he told him a solution can be find through proper channels.
Weston says he has been told Coleson Cove was shut down last summer so why were we buying replacement power for the refit to begin with? He adds the onus is on the Province and or NB Power to prove that AECL did not live up to it's terms of the contract.

Trauma Care Report To Be Released

(Rothesay M-L-A and Opposition Healthcare Critic Margaret Ann Blaney)

(File Photo)

Provincial Health Minister Mary Schryer is expected to release a report this mlorning on trauma services in the province and how they're going to be made better. The Opposition's Healthcare Critic, Margaret Ann Blaney tells CHSJ News the recommendations should have been implemented months ago especially after last week's revelation of a 12 hour delay in getting emergency treatment for a Bathurst woman. Blaney goes on to say the report that is to be released has been characterised as "the Holy Grail" of trauma care and doctors have become frustrated with the delay.

Doctor Fighting to Keep CBC Facility

Health Minister Mary Schyrer has some support in a city doctor who is fighting to keep the Canadian Blood Services operation right here at here and even expand it.

Dr. Andrea Garland tells CHSJ News she disagrees that opponets of the move to Dartmouth are flogging a dead horse because it seems to be a done deal.
Garland calls Canadian Blood Services an integral part of our provincial health care system.

Meeting Yields No Major Breakthroughs on Blood Distribution Centre Move

With construction of a new distribution center continuing in Dartmouth, the future of the Canadian Blood Services facility on University Avenue appears to be sealed. A meeting two weeks ago in Fredericton between doctors and officials from CBS yielded no major break-throughs and Health Minister Mary Schryer tells CHSJ News, the Province continues to support doctors:

Minister Schryer adds there is word the doctors are looking at forming a committee among themselves to go along with the non-partisan task force.

Final Day to Vote for Monopoly Spot

Today is the final day to cast your vote on-line to get Saint John on the Monopoly Board. Saint John MP Rodney Weston tells CHSJ News, he was keeping close tabs on the web-site to see how the voting was coming along until they took it off to ""heighten"" the suprise:
Even though on-line voting ends tonight, you can still cast a write in ballot for a wild card spot either Baltic or Mediterranean Avenues. The on-line voting is at monopolyvote.ca with 20 cities to be chosen for a spot on the board.

Church Officials Do Not Want To Be A Heritage Site

The Stone Church Vestry is asking not to be considered as part of the city heritage area.

The church on Carleton Street is already considered a National Historic site by the federal government and are not interested in becoming a city site. Arch Deacon David Edwards says they are not opposed to heritage sites but if the church is a city site, it could prevent future redevelopment.
Edwards adds the church is fine with the area becoming a heritage zone as long as the Stone Church isn't apart of it.

Skate to Care Fastly Approaching

In less than a week, Harbour Station will play host to the 23rd edition of Investors Group Skate to Care. Katie Emreich is a teacher at Kennebecasis Valley High and has been participating in the event since she was 14. Emreich tells CHSJ News, she lost an uncle to suicide when she was 12: This is the second year that Emreich is captaining a team from the high school and loves the fact her students are taking part and getting involved. All of the money raised goes to Mindcare.

Police Chief Thankful for Volunteer Group

You may never have heard of The Victim Service Unit of the Saint John Police Force.
They are a group of 10 volunteers who provide support to victims of crime and tragic circumstances. Police Chief Bill Reid says it's a boon to the City force and the citizens to have this service.
The Unit's volunteers provided over 5200 hours of coverage last year. Volunteers are on call from 7pm til 7am during the week and on weekends from 7pm on Friday until 7am Monday morning.

Fire Destroys Cottage

An early morning fire yesterday is resulting in a cottage being destroyed.
District Chief William Johnstone says crews responded to the blaze on Columbus Lane, just off the Acamac Backland Road and found the cottage was fully engulfed in flames.
Crews were on the scene for about 3 and a half hours and there were no injuries.

Earthquake near Sussex

Some minor tremors could be felt near Dairy town last night.

Natural Resources Canada are reporting an earthquake about 39 kilometres from Sussex.
The quake rated a 3.2 on the richter scale, and Seismologist Silvia Hayek tells CHSJ News, it isn't large enough to cause any damage or to raise any concerns.
Hayek says the area doesn't get earthquakes very often, and the largest one to date in New Brunswick was in Miramichi in 1982
The tremors from this one could be felt in Cumberland Bay, and Hunters Home.