NDP Support Could Ensure Conservative Majority

The recent NDP surge in the polls leaving some people wondering whether the increased support will just lead to a Conservative majority.

Don Desserud, a political science professor at UNBSJ, tells CHSJ News something similar happened back in 2003. Desserud says when the Liberals were in power it was partly because the right vote was split between the Progressive Conservatives and the Canadian Alliance.

At a rally on the boardwalk, Jack Layton maintained Canadians are tired of being told they can only choose between one of two parties. He also took a shot at the Liberals saying they continually back the Conservatives in the House of Commons.

City Urged To Approve Mixed Martial Arts Competitions

A mixed martial arts organizer is hoping Common Council will approve a bylaw that will allow M-M-A events in the city.

Mixed martial arts is a combat sport that consists of striking and grappling.

Chris Archer tells CHSJ News he's hoping to start an amateur foundation in the city.

A by-law exists in Moncton that allows M-M-A and Archer says events staged in Saint John at the L-B-R would bring much needed dollars to the city.

He maintains mixed martial arts is actually safer than other contact sports such as hockey, football and even soccer.

The issue will be before the councillors tonight. The regular council session gets underway at 6:30pm.

Ferris Wheel Down For Now

If you were looking forward to going for a spin on the ferris wheel down at Market Square you're going to have to wait a little longer.

Heather Peterson with the Hardman Group says the ride was only put up for testing purposes and will now be taken down. 

City council needs to approve the use of the ride before it can be put up permanently.

If approved, the ride be a part of the vendors' market which is held during the summer.

During the testing period, police had to respond to a few calls of people climbing the structure.

Southwest Conservative Candidate Talks Long Guns And LNG Tankers

The Conservative candidate for New Brunswick Southwest says people can count on the Conservatives to deliver on the economy and the long gun registry.  

John Williamson previously worked as the National Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Association and as a senior advisor to Stephen Harper.  

Williamson tells CHSJ News he gets the most applause for the Conservative's promise to finally eliminate the long gun registry, which he says wastes money.  

Another issue specific to Williamson's riding is the opposition to LNG tankers being transported through Canadian waters.  He says Harper is the only party leader who has said the tankers should not come through Canadian waters.

As for the economy, Williamson says the Conservatives will make a modest tax reduction on businesses, but Harper has promised not to cut important programs like health care and education.

Layton Visits Port City

A wave of orange making its way to the port city this morning.  NDP Leader Jack Layton spoke to a packed boardwalk on why people should vote NDP come May 2.

On the subject of the Point Lepreau refurbishment, Layton says the federal government should take responsibility for AECL. 

Layton says Stephen Harper has some explaining to do on why a federal crown corporation has these cost overruns and delays.

Layton says the NDP does not support the public subsidy of new nuclear power generation, but does support funding green and clean energy projects throughout Atlantic Canada.

Program Increases Family Literacy At Centennial School

Centennial school in the North end hosting a family literacy program and seeing a shift in both the kids and their parents.
Community literacy co-ordinator Cheryl Brown says parents are very influential in getting their pre-school kids ready for school and helping with the family's literacy .
She says it's a cultural and social affair and when they have high literacy at home kids can function very well at school.

The program ran for 10 weeks and including one on one time with the student and parents along with group events which included a meal.

Sugar Refinery Property Being Looked At

It's all very hush hush at the moment but we're told a major customer is looking to bring new business to the port at Lower Cove or even the sugar refinery property.

Pat Riley of local 273 of the International Longshoremen's Association tells CHSJ News the specifics have to remain confidential for the time being.

Riley says if the sugar refinery property is used for industrial purposes, you don't have to worry about cleaning up the contamination which he estimates would cost something like 20 million dollars.

 The Port Authority also finds itself under alot of pressure to allow more public access along the waterfront as part of its new land use plan. That concerns the International Longshoremen's Association because, according to Riley, land for port use is at a premium.

Province Warns About Rise In Sexually Transmitted Diseases

The Health Department is alarmed by the increase in sexually transmitted diseases in the province among people in their twenties.

Public Health Officer Dr. Scott Giffen tells CHSJ News you can be treated if you're diagnosed with chlamydia, syphilis or gonnorhea.

According to the Health Department, at least 1 in 20 men and 1 in ten women between the ages of 20 and 24 in the province have contracted chlamydia.

Dr.Giffen says the risk factors include is having unprotected sex, having sex with more than one partner and frequenting prostitutes.

He wonders what role the internet has in contributing to risky sexual behaviour. He also cites poverty and homelessness as being other risk factors.

Fredericton To Mark Royal Wedding On Friday

Two events in Fredericton to honour the wedding of William and Kate will give you the chance to wear that fancy hat and eat scones and bangers.

The Lieutenent Governor is opening Governor House to royal watchers  by reservation only and we're told it's filling up fast.

Barry McKenzie of the province's Monarchist League tells CHSJ News it's the next best thing to being at Westminster Abbey.

He says for those of us who can't make it to London it's a chance to celebrate a common interest in this event.

To make a reservation with the Office of the Lieutentant-Governor call 506-453-2505 or by e-mail ltgov@gnb.ca.

For the Wedding Breakfast Buffet at the Crowne Plaza Hotel call 506-451-1804.

Port Land At A Premium

The port doesn't have enough land and is not in a good position to attract a second container line.

That word coming from Pat Riley of local 273 of the International Longshoremen's Association in a submission to the Port Authority on its land use plan for the future.

 Riley tells CHSJ News the expansion of American Iron and Metal's operation on the lower west side has a cause and effect leaving no land to spare.

 As for the east side of the harbour, Riley says the longshoremen argue Long Wharf will still be needed to handle cargo. He maintains both limestone and salt have been approved for handling at Long Wharf and environmentally are clean cargo.

Layton In Saint John As Polls Show Surge For NDP

On the heels of polls showing his party is surging in popularity, NDP Leader Jack Layton will be making a campaign stop a stop in Saint John this morning.

Layton will be holding a rally on the boardwalk outside the Hilton at Market Square. Some polls suggest the New Democrats are picking up strength and have more support nationall than the Liberals as the final week of campaigning starts.

Don Desserud, a political science professor at UNBSJ, says whether or not the gains translate into seats will depend on how spread out the support is. Desserud says it needs to be centered, like it seems to be in urban areas of Quebec, in order to make a difference.

Desserud says what Jack Layton has done well is make the party look like a viable contender for those people looking for an alternative to the Harper Conservatives.

Advanced Polls Open On Time

With the federal election just more than a week away, the advanced polls have been open for the last two days.

Karen Janigan with Elections Canada tells CHSJ News all the advanced polls opened on time and it appears things are going well.

Janigan says Elections Canada opened 4700 advanced polling stations across the country for this election, compared to only 4017 in the last election.

Advanced polls are closed today for Easter Sunday but open again tomorrow from noon until 8pm.

Southwest Candidate Says NDP Fiscally Responsible

Andrew Graham is running for the NDP in New Brunswick Southwest and says he's feeling positive about how people in the province are seeing the party.

Graham tells CHSJ News this his third time running in a federal election, which has allowed him to build a relationship with the people.

Graham says the NDP has the best fiscal management record and won't stand for giving money to wealthy corporations or spending it all on fighter jets.

Graham passion for the election is sustainable development.  He says one of the things that needs to be changed is the country's agriculture industry which is extremely reliant on oil for transportation.

NDP Experiences Surge In Polls

NDP Leader Jack Layton to make a stop in the port city tomorrow. 

Some polls suggest the New Democrats are picking up strength as the final week of the campaign looms. 

Don Desserud, a political science professor at UNBSJ, says whether or not the gains translate into seats will depend on how spread out the support is.

Desserud says the New Democrats still only have about 20 per cent of the vote and need to have at least 30 per cent to be a proper contender. 

Desserud says what Jack Layton has done well is make the party look like a viable option for those people looking for an alternative to the Harper Conservatives.

Medical Officer Warns Against Eating Rotten Easter Eggs

If you're entertaining the kids with some Easter-egg decorating this long weekend, the province's chief medical officer wants to remind you to avoid food poisoning.

Dr. Eilish Cleary issued a reminder that decorated hard-boiled eggs should not be eaten if they've been left at room temperature or if they've been in the fridge for more than a week.

Cleary says it's also best to use a non-toxic colouring dye when decorating Easter eggs.

Southwest Liberal Candidate Concerned With Unemployment

One of the other five candidates running in New Brunswick Southwest is Kelly Wilson, who's representing the Liberals.

Wilson tells CHSJ News people in her riding are concerned about jobs and unemployment, especially amongst youth.  She says unemployment for youth is the highest in the country at 16 per cent, and promises to work to bring new businesses and employers to the area if elected.

Wilson also says her riding would benefit from the Liberal's plan to create affordable child-care spaces for working families.

Candidate Brings New Party To NB For Election

If you've been driving through the riding of New Brunswick Southwest you may have noticed some different election signs out and about. 

Jason Farris is running for the Christian Heritage Party.  He tells CHSJ News its the only pro-life and pro-family party in the country. 

Farris says he wants to see more fiscal responsibility from the government for the sake of his kids.  He says the government needs to be able to say no to more government spending.

Southwest Green Candidate Wants Renewable Energy

With just ten days left before the big vote on May 2, candidates in the riding of New Brunswick Southwest are campaigning hard.
Janice Harvey is running on for the Green Party and tells CHSJ News running a political campaign is both tiring and gratifying.  Harvey says she is most concerned with the issues that aren't being talked about- like climate change.

Harvey says one of the issues specific to the Southwest riding is what will happen with Point Lepreau. She says her position is to decommission the nuclear power plant and move to a form of renewable energy.

Rothesay To Get New Director Of Operations

The town of Rothesay will be loosing an experienced staff member at the end of May.

Director of Operations Scott Hatcher is leaving to be the new town manager in Sussex.

Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News the search for a replacement will begin shortly.  Bishop says Hatcher has a wealth of knowledge and the town is sorry to loose him.

Hatcher was originally hired by the former Village of Fairvale back in the early 90's and transitioned to Rothesay during the amalgamation in 1998.

Advanced Polls Open Today

You can take care of voting in Federal election this weekend with the advance polls.  They are open from Noon to 8pm today, tomorrow and on Monday.

Karen Janigan of Elections Canada tells CHSJ News you can register to vote at the advance polls.

She says they do encourage people to register in advance but sometimes that's doesn't happen so if you haven't registered and you are not on the voter's list it is not a problem.

To find out which polling stations you should go to and anything else relating to the election go to http://www.elections.ca/ or call 1-800-463-6888.