BOT Not Worried About Recent Layoffs

The Saint John Board of Trade does not despair poor job numbers here and in the province and the news of Irving Oil layoffs.
 
President Imelda Gilman tells CHSJ News it's always disappointing to hear that companies have to lay off workers.

She says there are different reasons for these layoffs and it goes to show that we are not isolated here and we are competing globally.

Gilman says growth in the City's IT and Health sector are reasons to be hopeful.

17 Year Old Gets Two Years For Manslaughter

A 17 year old getting two years in Miramichi Youth Centre and 3 months of conditional supervision for the murder of 29 year old Jason Dow.

Dow was found in his underwear on Barker Street with several stab wounds back in March.

During the youth's sentencing hearing, the court was told that Dow met him over the internet and paid him over a thousand dollar to model in a photoshoot. During the course of the shoot, the 17-year old drank over 9 beers and the two were intimate.

The youth then grabbed a kitchen knife and locked himself in the bathroom.  He then texted his girlfriend that he was going to kill Dow and proceeded to chase him to Barker Street where he stabbed him.
 
Justice Hugh McLellan says he did not give the youth the maximum sentence of 3 years because he turned himself into Hampton RCMP shortly after the killing.

City Company Produces Film On Homeless Youth

A working group includings representatives from youth-serving organizations and area churches is working to create emergency housing facility to strengthen existing housing and support services for homeless youth.

A film was put together to show the need in our community for Saint John Youth House.

To see it, click here

Passamaquoddy First Nation Against Lepreau License Renewal

The Passamaquoddy First Nation speaking out at the final Point Lepreau licensing hearing.

Chief Hugh Akagi says the consultation process between the First Nations, NB Power, and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has been a difficult.

He says not enough effort was made in order to keep people informed on the intervenor process and how they can take part in the hearings.

The Passamaquoddy Nation is against the renewal of Point Lepreau's license.  They believe the plant poses too much of a risk to people and the environment.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission will make a decision in about six weeks.

Parents In Saint John Want French Immersion To Start Earlier

The earlier french immersion begins the better........That message delivered to a four person task force by parents in Saint John who would like it to start in Grade one instead of grade 3.

The recommendation doesn't come as any great surprise to former McKenna cabinet minister Jim Lockyer who is co-chairing the task force.

The parents also say the goal should be to emerge bilingual instead of just 70 per cent proficient in french.

They believe more resources and support are needed along with more french courses in high school.

The task force will be at Hampton Middle School for its final public meeting on December 15th.

A report will be presented to the Alward Government in the new year.

Liberal M-L-A Says Province Won't Go It Alone

The province will not set up its own blood services in light of the local opposition to transferring blood production from Millidgeville to Dartmouth .........That prediction from the Liberal M-L-A in Charlotte County Rick Doucette who says the Conservatives are not adventurous enough to take that bold step.

He also says now they're in government, the Conservative M-L-A's haven't had much to say on this issue. Doucette calls their silence deafening.

Doucette makes mention of Environment Minister Margaret Ann Blaney who took then Health Minister Mike Murphy to task at the time, accusing him of agreeing to the transfer. 

Premier David Alward says a decision is close on whether the province will set up its own blood services.

Critic Of Shale Gas Speaks At Hampton High

A vocal critic of shale gas extraction describes it as intense industrial activity on a very large scale.

Cornell University Professor Dr. Anthony Ingraffea appearing at Hampton High last night to talk about the myths and realities of shale gas exploration and development. 

He tells CHSJ News those people who are worried about their wells being contaminated should be. Dr. Ingraffea says it will happen.......the only questions are how many will be affected and who will pay. He says it would be foolhardy for anyone to believe nothing wrong will happen.
 

Dr. Ingraffea specialises in hydraulic fracture simulation and pipeline safety. He spent over 25 years taking part in research and development for the oil and gas industry.

Acadien Bus Service Halted

There will be no intercity bus service until further notice with Acadien bus lines locking out its drivers in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island this morning.

The bus terminal on Chesley Drive is in the dark.

Company vice-president Marc-Andre Varin says parcel delivery will be stopping as well if no buses are running.

 Acadien has routes within New Brunswick and two daily runs to and from P-E-I.
     

Glen Carr of the Amalgamated Transit Union says the bus drivers, mechanics and customer service reps voted 88 per cent against the company's last offer earlier this week and were prepared to stage strike action.

Mayor Says Loss Of Lab Will Hurt Safety and Economy

Mayor Ivan Court crashing the media conference with Dr. Sher -- he has been very outspoken about the loss of the blood production lab and remains unconvinced that patients will not be at risk.

He tells CHSJ News the closure of the lab will also mean the loss of skilled workers and will be a blow to the local economy.

Court was not invited to the media event with Dr. Sher and says he would have been willing to meet with CBS if a meeting was arranged.

CEO of Canadian Blood Service Visits Saint John

The CEO of Canadian Blood Services Dr. Graham Sher says he wants to make sure that misconceptions about CBS's decison to move a blood production lab from here to Dartmouth are put to rest.

Dr. Sher says he made the trip out to the Millidgeville clinic because he wanted to drive home the fact that he's committed to safety.

He says statements by certain community leaders and doctors about patients being in danger are wrong because a blood supply will be kept in the city.  In fact, he says we will now have access to two sources of blood: one in the city and one in Dartmouth.

He adds the province should also remain part of a national blood system and not go it alone.

Arts Group To Fold After Funding Cuts

After a series of deep cuts from the Province, Performing Arts New Brunswick is closing it's doors by the end of the year.

In an email, Executive Director Nancy Schell says she wishes to thank everyone for their support over the years.

Operational funding for Performing Arts NB came from the Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport.

Preliminary Work Begins On New Cruise Terminal

Work has begun on the second cruise terminal building down on Water Street.

The 15.6 million dollar project includes berth enhancements at the new terminal and the Long Wharf location.

The new terminal is 25-thousand square feet over two levels.

The preliminary work will be completed by Christmas.

Province Gives Proposed Youth Shelter $50K

It will cost somewhere between $500,000 and a million dollars to establish a facility for homeless or at-risk youth.
The Provincial government announcing a $50,000 contribution to the project.
Saint John Youth House project coordinator Colin McDonald says they want to do it right by creating a safe and comfortable place for youth to be.

He says it could be 2am or 2pm and youth can walk in the door and as long as a bed is available they can stay.   He adds they can stay for 90 days and if they are working towards success they can stay up to six months but ideally they want to move them on to the next phase of program.

The board is still in the site selection process and they are looking at two possible locations which they hope to announce in January.

Point Lepreau Station Manager Says Earthquake Risks are Negligible

The station manager of Point Lepreau says there is virtually no risk of an earthquake hitting the station.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is currently holding hearings at the Delta over whether to renew Point Lepreau's license to generate power.

Station Manager Wade Parker says a lot of critics are afraid of seismic activity causing an incident similar to the Fukushima disaster but he says their data indicates the station is not located in a high-seismic hazard region.

He adds the plant is designed to withstand an earthquake is one does occur.




Natural Resources Canada also presenting data indicating most earthquakes in Eastern Canada cannot be felt and they occur in seismically active zone.

Studies done by the staff of the safety commission are recommending that the license be renewed.

Gas Prices Are Up But Not By Much

There has been a slight increase in gas prices following the weekly setting. 

The maximum price for self serve regular rising by just over a cent a litre while diesel has increased again by less than half a cent. 

Home heating oil is listed at $1.19.2 a litre which is a decline of half a cent and propane is a bit costlier at $1.17 a litre.

City Looking For Ideas On Future Recreation Needs

Common Council is expected to receive a plan in the new year about what the future face of recreation will look like in the city. An open house and workshop were held at the Lily Lake Pavilion to get ideas. 

The Recreation Manager for Leisure Services Kevin Watson tells CHSJ News the city has a surplus in some areas with ball fields and tennis courts as examples.
 
Watson also telling us when it comes to ice rinks, the standard for a city the size of Saint John would be 3 whereas, right now, 5 are being operated in addition to Harbour Station.

One trend he is seeing is more women playing hockey and the demand for ice time in prime time is 100 per cent booked. Another trend is people taking part in individual activities rather than structured programmes.

Board Of Trade Hands Out Business Achievement Awards

The Saint John Board of Trade handing out the 2011 Annual Outstanding Business Achievement Awards.

Go-Go Gymnastics picked up the award for Emerging Enterprise, Punch Productions nabbed the Entrepreneurial Achievement Award, and Bayview Trucks and Equipment Ltd. took home some hardware for Business Excellence.

Keith Brideau is the VP of Historica which renovates old heritage buildings for development.  He received the Young Entrepreneur Award and he tells CHSJ News he's proud to offer a unique service to the city.
 

Rounding out the winners was Hestia House for the Big Heart Award and Enterprise Saint John scored the Chair's Award.

The Legislature Supports Movember

More than 281-thousand dollars has been raised in New Brunswick by the Movember event in support of prostate health and awareness.  Members of the New Brunswick legislature posed for a picture today with many sporting moustaches of their own.
  

Tax Assessment Dollars From The Province Should Go To Saving Transit Service

The president of the union for city transit workers believes the influx of an additional 5 million dollars from the provincial tax assessment should be used to save transit service.

Ten employees will be laid off, five workers will see their hours reduced, and 20-thousand hours of service will be cut on Boxing Day due to tightening budgets.

Tom McGraw tells CHSJ News the union is trying to get the message out to Common Council and transit needs only 900-thousand dollars to maintain the current level of service.

He says 21 million dollars in gas tax funding could also be used to boost transit but it been earmarked for water projects.

The Commute Will Be Easier Tonight

The trek across the Harbour Bridge will be even easier this afternoon.
The eastbound Chesley Drive on-ramp is open to traffic once again.

Work continues on the area of the former toll plaza and is scheduled to be completed in the next few weeks.

Earlier this month,  the west bound lanes of the Harbour Bridge re-opened after being closed since the spring for a major overhaul.

At the time, Transportation Minister Claude Williams told CHSJ News the bridge project is on budget and he remains confident the east bound lanes will be completed during the construction season next year.