Group Trying To Reduce Child Victimization

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection aims to reduce child victimization through programs and services for parents and children's charities.

Noni Classen tells CHSJ News the healing process that communities like Saint John are experiencing is very important.

She says successful prosecutions send a message to kids that it wasn't their fault because often nothing comes out and people are not caught or charged.

Classen says the sexual abuse of children is the most under reported crime there is.  

For more information, click here

Two Break-Ins In The North End

City Police are reporting two break and enters in the city's North End.

The first one on Cranston Avenue happened between 8am and 2pm, and the he thief got through an unlocked sliding window and stole an X Box.

Later in the afternoon around 3pm police were called to Albert Street to a 3-unit building that had been empty for a few months. All of the apartments sustained major damage with the thieves cutting through the walls to get at a large amount of copper piping.

If you saw anything suspicious you're being asked to contact the Police or Crimestoppers.

Meeting On Adoption Records Postponed

A meeting on the proposal to unseal adoption record in the province scheduled for today in Saint John has been postponed.

It will now be on May 20 at the Holiday Express Inn from 7-8:30 p.m.

The meeting for Fredericton will be May 14 at the Fredericton Inn from 7-8:30 p.m

Labour Rally Outside Conservative Nomination Meeting

On the outskirts of a Conservative nomination meeting in the Kennebecasis Valley, a small group of CUPE members rallying on the state of labour in the province.

CUPE Regional Vice-President Stephen Drost tells CHSJ News they're unhappy with the way New Brunswick workers are being treated and say they plan on ramping up pressure on the province to treat them fairly.

Drost says from now until the election and even after that, the Alward government is going to be hearing from them. He says they're not happy with the direction the government is going and they plan on doing everything in their power to overthrow it.

He says CUPE Local 1251, which represents correctional officers, human service councilors and custodians, have been without a collective agreement for nearly three years. They were also protesting the very controversial issue of provincial pension reform, with Drost telling us they want to send a strong message to the government that they're not getting their pensions.

Dire Warning About Future Of Provincial Economy

A new book entitled "Over the Cliff" warns New Brunswick is heading for financial ruin unless tough decisions are made, sooner rather than later.
 
That dire warning is right on, according to Kevin Lacey of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. The book was written by the director-general of the Canadian Institute for Research on Public Policy and Public Administration. 

Lacey tells CHSJ News the longer it takes to balance the budget, the worse it will be for the province's bottom line and the less money there will be for things like health and education. He points out paying the interest on the provincial debt is the third or fourth biggest government expense.
 
The book cites a stagnant economy, bloated government bureaucracy and aging population as reasons for concern.

Lacey also agrees with Finance Minister Blaine Higgs that to even consider getting rid of the shared risk pension plan for provincial government retirees is financial lunacy and irresponsible. The Pension Coaltion has launched a lawsuit against the government in response.

Police Investigating Shooting Incident On The East Side

An incident in which an east side home off Courtenay Avenue had its window shot out in broad daylight yesterday is under investigation by Saint John Police.

Sergeant Jay Henderson explaining the homeowner called police around 3pm after hearing the shots and seeing the window had been shattered.

A car was seen speeding off after the shots were fired. No one was injured and the Major Crime Unit is trying to piece together what happened and why.

General Rick Hillier In Saint John Talking About Giving

A crowd gathering at the Boys and Girls club to hear Retired General Rick Hillier speak about giving back. It's all part of the Celebration of Giving event in Saint John.

Earlier this morning Telus announced a $500,000 donation to Atlantic Canadian charities that benefit young people. 

Also on hand this morning are Liberal Leader Brian Gallant, Councillor Shirley MacAlary and the Y's Shilo Boucher.

Since its inception in 2009 the TELUS Atlantic Canada Community Board has contributed $2.1 million in support of more than 140 local charitable projects for organizations including First Steps, the Salvation Army, the Doaktown Library, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Atlantic Canada and the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra.
 
First Steps, a Saint John organization, received $20,000 from the TELUS Atlantic Canada Community Board in 2013 to buy 13 new computers for the facility. The organization offers housing to pregnant women and mothers under 25 years old and their children who do not have a safe place to live. While some computers are used to run the program and track its success, the majority of them are being used by the mothers for homework, parenting and job research.

New Brunswick Family Defies The Odds In Lottery

What are the odds of this happening......A New Brunswick mother and son winning a million dollars each in the Lotto 6/49 draw twice in just five months. 

Roger Richard and Denise Richard of St. Phillippe won a million in the November 27th draw and now Roger's mom, Evangeline, who lives in Dieppe, also won a million dollars in the April 9th Lotto 649. 

The odds of winning just one draw are just one in over 5 million.

Shots Fired On East Side

City Police converging on a house along Courtenay Avenue on the east side yesterday afternoon after getting a report of shots being fired. No one was injured.

A window of the two storey building looked to be shot out with broken glass strewn about. Police were out and about asking neighbours if they saw anything. 

A daycare is located close by.

Flemming & Higgs Get Conservative Nods

Two familiar faces getting Conservative nods in the K-V for the upcoming provincial election. 

Health Minister Ted Flemming officially named the candidate for Rothesay at a nomination convention at Kennebecasis Valley High School while it was announced Finance Minister Blaine Higgs will run in Quispamsis. 

Flemming tells CHSJ News there's a lot they want to see through, likening it to a half-painted floor saying you don't stop there and the more progress you make the enthused you get. He says the Liberals, who just held a big policy convention in Fredericton, are all about pressing pause and that the party is going nowhere.

Higgs tells us it's not just smoke and mirrors...they know what needs to be done. He says the idea that you have to spend more money to deliver better services is absolutely wrong because that way of thinking is unsustainable. He expects the provincial budget will be balanced by 2018.

City Taking A Long Hard Look At Fleet Replacement

We're looking a major cost overruns for snow clearing this winter---and that means an extra-careful examination of city-owned vehicles that need to be replaced, with an eye to determining what's essential and what's not.

Councillor at Large Shirley McAlary says she thinks we dropped the ball a bit last year, since the fleet replacement policy appeared to get mixed up and things didn't end up getting ordered.

Councillor Bill Farren questioned whether we really need to replace so many half ton trucks this year, since they aren't the real workhorses in terms of plowing and other big jobs.

But Bill Edwards of Transportation Services begged to differ, saying the half tons lug around men and equipment all day and we even have to augment the current fleet with rentals on a regular basis because we don't have enough of them.

McAlary pointed out that putting off spending money on the fleet is a false economy--it'll just end up costing more the longer it is delayed. Council voted to order the vehicles slated for replacement, and look at a second list this summer. 

Voter Cards In The Mail

Voters in municipalities holding by-elections,  first elections, or plebiscites to form rural communities should get cards in the mail this week telling them when and where to vote.

More than 53,000 Voter Information Cards are being sent out. The cards tell you all the details on where and when to vote.

For more information, click here

The Flood Plan Is On For Darling's Island

Public Safety enacting the flood plan for Darling's Island.

Paul Bradley tells CHSJ News they have been keeping an eye on the water level on that road for a number of days.

He says they had some concerns about potholes in the road and it's overall structural integrity so the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure made the call to close it.

Boats will be in place on Darling's Island for a resident shuttle service.  

It will be set up next to the road.

People should contact the Emergency Measures Organization at 1-800-561-4034 if they have questions regarding this plan. For emergency situations call 911. For advice on non-emergency related help contact the Emergency Measures Organization at 1-800-561-4034.

SJPD Seeks Tips In Weekend Assault

A 33 year old woman remains in critical but stable condition in hospital following an assault early Sunday morning.

Sgt. Tony Hayes says Saint John Police responded to the scene of a large fight at 169 Charlotte Street at 2:35am.

He says officers arrived to find an unconscious woman who was taken to hospital.

The Major Crime Unit of City police is looking into the matter and if you have any information you are asked to contact them at 648-3333.

You can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or click here

New Brunswick Urged To Do More To Attract Immigrants To Province

Immigrants are an economic driver and the province should be doing all it can to attract them to New Brunswick. So says economic development consultant and President of Jupia Consultants, David Campbell. 

Campbell tells CHSJ News for every thousand immigrants who settle here, you need 400 people to provide services for them.

Campbell points out there has to be a reason for them to come and then to stay or else they'll just move on to the larger cities.

City Police Officer Back In Court Making His Case

City Police officer Chris Messer, who's facing an assault charge, was back in court with his lawyer Brian Munro arguing he has not received full disclosure from the prosecution. 

Munro wants access to police wiretaps, telling the court 9 shots were fired into Messer's home on Westfield Road to take the heat off a police investigation of break and enters in that area. 

Munro also claims there's no medical evidence to show Randy King, whom he describes as a career criminal, was assaulted. 

Munro says he finds it odd that, according to police statements, they have a good idea who fired the shots into Messer's home, yet no one has ever been charged. 

He's asking for a Stay of Proceedings so Messer won't have to stand trial on the assault charge and poses the question to Court of Queen's Bench Justice Judy Glendenning whether his reputation has been damaged beyond repair.

The Unofficial Campaign Heats Up This Week

The campaign before the campaign will be heating up this week with four separate nomination meetings this week.

Tonight, it's the Conservatives turn with a combo meeting at KV High for Quispam MLA and Finance Minister Blaine Higgs and Health Minister and Rothesay MLA Ted Flemming.

On Wednesday night, Liberals in the riding of Saint John-Portland will chose a candidate at the RKYC and on Thursday night, the Liberals host another nomination meeting at the Sanctuary Theatre to choose a candidate to run in Saint John Harbour.      Former MLA and Cabinet Minister Ed Doherty is rumoured to be running again.

All eyes will be on the Saint John-Lancaster Liberal nomination meeting on May 10th with 3 well-known names seeking to run there.

Former Mayor Ivan Court, former common councillor Peter McGuire and Realter Don Ketchum are all vying to represent the west side riding for the Liberals.

For more info on the upcoming nomination meetings, click here  or here

Body Found In Fredericton Park

A body has been found in O'Dell park in Fredericton this morning.

Fredericton police telling CHSJ News that human remains were found in the park and police are on scene.

K-V-H-S Again Reaches The Top

The provincial Reach for the Top championship was held over the weekend and for the 9th time in the last 10 years, Kennebecasis Valley High has won. 

Chris Huddleston, Alexis Lamontagne, Ryan Queen, Sam Cookson and Keegan Reynolds will now be competing for the national title in Toronto late next month.

Provincial Liberals Adopt New Position On Abortion

The provincial Liberals spent the weekend debating policy questions, they'll be running on in the provincial election campaign. 

The party is continuing its support for a moratorium on shale gas exploration. It wants a re-examination of the shared risk pension plan for provincial government retirees, lower the entry point for early French Immersion to grade 1, development of a ten year plan for education and improved access to abortion which has emerged as a hot button issue ever since the recent announcement that the Morganthaler clinic will be closing down in July. 

The Alward Government plans to stick with the policy that requires the approval of two doctors unless you want to pay privately out of your own pocket to terminate a pregnancy which was brought in by then Liberal Premier Frank McKenna. Party leader Brian Gallant has said the current restrictions are unconstitutional. 

The Liberals have also selected a candidate to run on Kings Centre which includes Grand Bay-Westfield. She's Shannon Merrifield, co founder of Fusion who has also worked as an employment advisor.