New Group Calls For Publicly-Funded Midwifery Care

A newly-formed group in New Brunswick is pushing for publically funded midwifery care in the province. 

Chair of NB Families for Midwives Sonya Burrill tells CHSJ News they also want to educate people about the benefits of midwives not only for mothers-to-be but for new moms as well. Burrill's first baby was born under the care of midwives in Ontario and says they offered much-need postpartum support.

The provincial government cut funding to the Midwives Association of New Brunswick last summer. NB Families for Midwives launching a social media campaign coinciding with International Day of the Midwife on May 5 to officially mark their launch. Click here for more information.

Fire And Fireworks In The Uptown

Crews responding to a blaze at Britt's Pub and Eatery on Princess Street. Britt's tweeting that there was a small fire in one of the upstairs units but no one was hurt and the restaurant reopened shortly afterwards. 

And if you were in the uptown area, you may have woken up with a bit of a fright as a loud display of fireworks went off around midnight lasting for about 15 minutes. City Police tell CHSJ News someone set them off for a wedding.

Battle Of Atlantic To Be Commemorated

This weekend marks the 71st anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest running battle of the World War II.
 
Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino says the month of May in 1943 was a turning point in the Battle of the Atlantic when the Allies gained the upper hand over German U-boats.
 
Heroic efforts by the Royal Canadian Navy and Air Force meant a crucial victory by keeping supply routes open between North America and Britain with the loss of 46 hundred lives.
 
The Saint John service for Battle of the Atlantic begins at 10:30 in Trinity Anglican with a march from Germain Street to King Street and then to the Hilton if it's not raining.

Hillier Says Canada Can Be Proud Of The Afghan Mission

On May 9th, the men and woman involved in the military mission to Afghanistan will be honoured in Ottawa.

Retired General Rick Hillier tells CHSJ News the legacy is that Canada was one of the lead nations trying to bring security and stability to a nation that was devastated.

He thinks Canada's lead role in the mission at incredible expense led us to the forefront on nations and how we shape the international community in which we live.

Hillier doesn't fear Afghanistan returning to its past ways when the multi-national force leaves adding Afghans are a hearty determined people who have the country they want now.

It's Time To Clean Up Glen Falls

The City of Saint John and ACAP Saint John encourage you to do your part for Mother Earth today.

Glen Falls is hosting its annual Spring Clean Up until Noon.

All volunteers should meet at Glen Falls Elementary school and you should wear boots, a hat and the right clothing.

If you have a rake, bring it along.   The clean up will be followed by a bbq at 1pm.

Name Of Victim In Fatal House Fire Released

The identity of a man killed in a house fire on the Steeves Settlement Road near Havelock has been released. 

The Mounties identifying the man as 30-year-old Peter Nicholas Scribner of Steeves Settlement. His body was found inside the home after police were called out to the blaze. 

Both the cause of the fire and the cause of death is being investigated by the RCMP with help from the New Brunswick Office of the Fire Marshal and the New Brunswick Coroner Service.

Work on Prince William Might Slow You Down

Things may be a bit slow on Prince William street this morning.

Traffic is reduced to one lane while a crew moves material to the roof of Saint John Postal Station A. Be careful when in this area during the work. It's expected to last until noon.

If you have any questions about the work, you can contact Kone Inc at 1-902-402-0657.

Still A Few More Days To Get Your Taxes Done

Tax time isn't everyone's favourite time of year....but it's simply a fact of life.

The Canada Revenue Agency reminding taxpayers you have until midnight on Monday to file, 5 days later than the original deadline. If you or your spouse is self-employed, it's June 16. Any balance that you owe needs to be paid by May 5.

If you owe money and don't file on time, you'll get charged  5% of the 2013 balance owing....that can grow if you have multiple years outstanding.

Even if you can't pay all your balance owing right away, you should still file your return on time.

Police Arrest Teen With A BB Gun and More Copper Thefts

Tense moments near Metcalf and Durham with reports of a teen with a handgun.

Sgt. Jay Henderson says two men were detained and a 19 year old was found to have a BB-pellet gun in his pant leg.

He is facing charges of carrying a concealed weapon and violating court-ordered conditions.


Henderson also tells us City police are looking into yet another break and enter involving copper piping and wire...this time on St. John street on the West side.

He says the building was under renovation and the thieves damaged 4 different units.
Police believe the break and enter happened sometime between Tuesday and Thursday at 1pm.

If you know anything about these crimes or any other, call City police at 506-648-3333, email police@saintjohn.ca or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Scope of Flooding Surprised The Town

Sussex Mayor Marc Thorne says the scope of this flooding took everyone by surprise.

He says he was in some homes destroyed from the top floor down and he would estimate that damage around the 
$100, 000 mark.

When you add the damage to roads, bridges and other public infrastructure to the cost of flooding damage to houses and businesses..the total cost of flood damage is estimated at 12 million dollars.

Gallant Says His Position On Shale Gas Has Been Vindicated

Provincial Liberal leader Brian Gallant tells CHSJ News he was on the right track all along by calling for a moratorium on shale gas development in light of a report compiled by 14 scientists for Environment Canada.  The Alward Government has denounced that as dithering and pandering for votes.

The report concludes we need more research into the long term effects of shale gas exploration and fracking socially, economically and environmentally.

Gallant says you can't regulate the risks if you don't know enough about what they are and it could be decades before you do but the gas isn't going anywhere.

More Money Earmarked To Boost Tourism

The governments of New Brunswick and Maine are formalising their relationship to boost tourism by jointly investing $1 million over four years in the Two Nation Vacation marketing partnership.
 
Provincial Tourism Minister Trevor Holder tells CHSJ News the money will be used to develop an integrated marketing and sales campaign designed to create awareness and interest in vacationing in both countries.
 
In the past, each government invested $50,000 a year in promoting the Two Nation Vacation. That's going up to $125,000 a year each for the next four years.

Grand Manan Adventure Back In Service

Now that it's turbo charger has been replaced, the Grand Manan Adventure is back in service.

Once the parts arrived from the US the work was completed quickly and Coastal Transport GM Gregg Ryder says the repair is considered a permanent fix.

The backup ferry Grand Manan V was used while the Grand Manan Adventure was out of service. 

Help For Sussex Area Flood Victims

Public Safety Minister and Sussex MLA Bruce Northrup feeling very emotional speaking about the damage flooding caused to his community last month.

The province announcing Disaster Financial Assistance Program for the 540 homes and businesses suffering damage since April 15th

The maximum assistance amount for structural repairs for homes has been expanded from a cap of $80,000 to $120,000.

Once homeowners register their flood damage at 1-888-298-8555 and are approved for assistance, the province can issue advance payments of up to $4000.

Provincial offices will be established in Sussex and in St. Leonard to assist residents.
The one in Dairytown will be open on Monday morning in the court building.

Staff at these offices will be able to help residents with the paperwork.

A Lot More Has To Be Learned About Fracking

It will be years before there's shale gas exploration in the province.......That, according to report prepared for Environment Canada by a panel of 14 scientists, half of whom are with the New Brunswick Energy Institute. 

In the meantime, the panel has determined a lot more research is needed into the environmental, economic and social implications. 

It has also determined assurances from industry that fracking can be done safely are unsubstantiated.

Serious Crash In K-V

A two car collision in the K-V sending five people to hospital. 

The crash happened off the highway at Palmer Brook Road and Elliot Road. Police telling us the driver in one car fell asleep and crossed the centre line, sideswiping a car coming in the opposite direction with two women and two small children aged 1 and 2 inside. 

Both cars are writeoffs.

Doherty Wins SJ-Harbour Liberal Nomination

Dr. Ed Doherty will represent Saint John Harbour this fall for the Liberal party.      He easily won the nomination defeating Pat McCaffrey.

Doherty tells CHSJ News the riding has many challenges including high unemployment.

He says he has a passion for those who can't speak for themselves and he wants to continue to be an advocate.

Doherty lost by 7 votes in the 2010 election to current Saint John Harbour MLA Carl Killen.   

Doherty says the Tories have not been very effective in this riding failing to bring up important issues in the house.

Full House For SJ Harbour Liberal Nomination

A large turnout at the Sanctuary Theatre for the Saint John Harbour Liberal nomination meeting. 

NBers Can Get Coverage Today Under Drug Plan

The New Brunswick Drug Plan will begin providing coverage to plan members today.

Any uninsured New Brunswicker with a valid Medicare card is eligible to enrol in the plan. You can also join the plan if you're insured, but need a  drug not covered under your existing plan, or if you've maxed out your current plan.

The plan was announced in 2013 to help residents avoid catastrophic drug costs.

More information about the drug plan is available online.

Y Gets Another Funding Boost

The new Y on Churchill Boulevard is really starting to take shape with another $5),000 donation from TD.

There are still a few million more dollars that need to be raised before the huge recreational  facility can come to fruition. Capital Campaign manager Dale Knox tells CHSJ News the campaign has been wildly successful so far, and they're keeping up that upward trajectory.

Knox says the location of the Y is great because it's right between two priority neighbourhoods so people can walk there, but it's also right on a transit route, and will have sufficient parking for those from farther afield.