Happy Canada Day, Saint Andrews!

Saint Andrews by the Sea is celebrating Canada Day in true maritime style. The village hosting a parade, antique car show, sunrise ceremony, dog show and more. 

Deputy Mayor Cate Agaki tells CHSJ news Canada Day is a big deal in Saint Andrews--and the village goes all out with day-long events, a parade and more. She also says there will be a surprise after the fireworks finish up--but you'll have to come out and see what it is for yourself.

For a full schedule of Canada Day events in Saint Andrews, click here

Happy Canada Day, Sussex!

Dairytown planning some celebrations fit for a Queen this Canada Day....the Diamond Jubilee themed festivities include a parade, live entertainment, a talent show, and some lean, mean vintage machines from throughout the region.

Community services director Jason Thorne tells CHSJ News the antique car show will be better than ever this year because they're cooperating with the same people who do the famous Balloon Fiesta car show.

For a complete schedule of Canada Day events in Sussex, click here

No Vacancy: City Lock Up Full

The Saint John Detention Centre is full. Something some Saint John City Police say they've never seen. Police tell CHSJ news the full-house comes after a night full of fights, assaults, and breathalyzers. Many of the arrests were made around the Market Square Boardwalk. One man is facing charges causing bodily harm after a domestic incident near King Square. Police will have extra officers on deck for the long-weekend as part of their Bar Safety patrol. Overflow of people arrested will be sent to Hampton Jail.

Hiring For New Blood Services Call Centre Next Year

Hiring is expected to start next spring by Canadian Blood Services for its new contact centre to be located in its building on University Avenue and renovations alone will cost from 2 to 2 and a half million dollars.


That estimate from Chief Operating Officer Ian Mumford who says 16 to 20 people are expected to be working there by July of next year with 50, including five registered nurses, taking calls from across the country by July of 2014.



Mumford says Canadian Blood Services did not receive any money from the province. Blood product will be stored in the building and blood will still be collected there.

Finley In SJ To Give The Scoop On EI Changes

Federal Human Resources Minister Diane Finley in town today  as she wrapped up a whirlwind tour of Atlantic Canada. The Minister addressing widespread concerns about proposed changes to the EI program, which many have worried will have a negative impact on seasonal workers.

Finley tells CHSJ news the changes aren't going to hurt those workers as some believe. She says if you're looking for work in the off season and can't find it, EI will still be there for you. But if you're laid off in the off-season, she says there will be "incentives" to get you back out working again.


While the changes haven't been entirely finalized, she says one that will be effective in August is allowing part-time workers to keep 50 cents on every dollar they make instead of having it clawed back.

Whirligigs Galore All Summer

If you're looking for something different to do this Canada Day weekend - the Whirligigs exhibits may just be the answer.
The Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton and Kingsbrae Garden in St Andrews have various pieces of the wind driven whirligigs artwork by Atlantic Canadian artists on display from now until September 15th.
Locally - Chas MacKay is one of the artists contributing to the display.
The Kingsbrae Garden exhibit opened earlier this month while the Beaverbrook Art Gallery held it's official opening of the exhibit last night.
Acadia Broadcasting Limited - the parent company of Country 94 and 97.3 the Wave - is a proud sponsor of the exhibits.

Countryfest Is Set To Rock The qplex

Kevin Chase and Mike Biggar fans can get their fix at a brand new music event in the Valley this weekend.
Countryfest is an all day concert at the qplex, a first for the venue.
 
Marketing and Promotions Manager Aaron Kennedy tells CHSJ News they will also have food on site.

He says it's all a beer garden and will be held on the arena floor inside the qplex.
He adds people will be protected from the elements rain or shine.   

Countryfest begins at 4pm tomorrow at the qplex. 

For ticket info, click here

Insurance Industry Appears Happy With Proposed Changes

Balanced and well reasoned........That's how Bill Adams of the Insurance Bureau of Canada describes the provincial government's proposed changes to auto insurance.

Adams likes the idea of having a list of minor injuries because it gives greater clarity on what constitutes a minor injury.

Adams did not criticise the proposed increase in the minor injury cap from 25 hundred to 75 hundred dollars.

He does say it will take some time and alot of actuarial number crunching before it's determined the effect the changes would have on what you pay for auto insurance.

National Mental Health Strategy Unveiled

The National Mental Health Commission did exhaustive research in creating "Changing Directions Changing Lives" to create a mental health strategy for the entire country.

The new national approach and provincial mental health action plan share common ground on how to best provide help to those with mental health.
 
Provincial Health Minister Madeline Dube was in town today at Mental Health Recovery Services on Duke Street.

Dube tells CHSJ News it's a great example of what we need as they provide people with health assistance and support in getting a job and a home.

She says it's huge because people have a central place to come and work on the recovery side and have quality of life and this is what we want.

Dr. David Goldblum of the Mental Health Commission of Canada says they want to continue the dialogue on improving mental health care for everyone here and across the country.

A Change Of Plan For Canadian Blood Services

Canadian Blood Services describe it it as an enhanced role for the province in the national blood system as it announces the establishment of its second contact centre at its building on University Avenue which will, by July of 2014, have 50 people, including 5 registered nurses taking calls about blood from across the country 7 days a week.

The blood agency had been talking about putting the building up for sale.

Chief Operating Officer Ian Mumford also says the blood itself will be kept there right across from the Regional Hospital. He believes that short proximity will allay the fears of the medical community about running short. In any event, Mumford says performance will be tracked with benchmarks and the results of how it's working will be transparent.

Happy Canada Day, Saint John!

Most of us are counting down the hours to the long weekend--and uptown Saint John is playing host to some major celebrations this year. 

The Market Square Boardwalk is in the middle of 145 hours of performances to celebrate Canada's 145th anniversary. Stephany Peterson of the Hardman Group tells CHSJ News a slew of bands will be playing including headliners Hawksley Workman, Mother Mother, and country and folk acts.

The Canada Day fireworks start July 1 on the boardwalk at 10:15pm. 

For a full schedule click here

Morrisdale Crash Update

No one was seriously hurt after a head-on crash on Route 102 in Morrisdale. Constable. Jason Myatt tells CHSJ news a woman was treated for minor injuries at the hospital and later released.

The crash happening around 5pm yesterday. Traffic was backed up in both directions for a significant amount of time.

Strikers Issue Warning to "Scabs"

"We'll remember your names"--that warning from school board worker president Brien Watson to workers that cross the picket line at Maritime Broadcasting. The school board workers president says he hopes the "scabs" realize they'll have a hard time getting union jobs down the line now that they've crossed the picket line at MBS.

 With Saint John MBS workers on their 5th day of strike action, a number of members of school board local 380 came down to the corner of Union and Sidney Streets to lend their support.

Watson says all 30,000 CUPE workers stand behind the striking employees--- and this will only escalate from here.

Two Vehicle Crash in Morrisdale

Traffic is moving again on Route 102 in Morrisdale after a head-on collision earlier this afternoon.

The jaws of the life were needed to remove two people from their vehicles.

No word yet on any injuries.
 

Funding Cuts Could Hurt Business

A place to live and work on the edge--that's how Enterprise Saint John wants people to see the Port City. But with core funding being cut by ACOA, General manager Steve Carson says they're looking at new ways to continue their mandate of retaining and attracting business investments to Saint John.

He says they'll make up the lost funding with a combination of other resources.

Carson says they're losing $240,000 as of May of next year, which is 15% of their total budget.

Meantime, it's expected the new Wal Mart in Lancaster Mall will be opening up its doors by late fall or early in 2013.

Crash Shuts Down Highway

All of Route 102 in Morrisdale is shut down due to a head on crash on the highway.

A caller to our CHSJ Newsroom tells us two cars were involved.

Fire, police and ambulance on the scene. Folks heading in either direction are advised to plan their routes accordingly.

City Crews Help With Moncton Spill

The Saint John Fire Department is helping out after a spill at the University of Moncton.

Two people were exposed in a chemical bunker behind the science building at the school.
 
They have not been sent to hospital and the chemical involved has not been determined.
 
CHSJ News learning there are road closures in the area because of the incident.

The crews from Saint John were requested by the Province's Deputy Fire Marshall.

Three vehicles have been sent to Moncton with 13 personnel including the Regional Hazmat Unit.

Fun Fitness Opportunity For Teen Girls

Teen girls getting a crash course in fitness and friendship at a new free program out oft he Carleton Community Center. Fit and Fun for Girls combines creative exercise opportunities like roller derby with educational talks about a variety of topics.

Organizer and social worker Laura Gatien tells CHSJ news the program is free with something for every young woman--including a chance to make new friends in a healthy and supportive environment.

Only 6 out of 15 places are filled. For more information call 647-4307. The program runs on Wednesdays from 10 until 12am.

Princess Of Acadia Due To Resume Schedule

The Princess of Acadia Ferry is expected to be back in service tomorrow with its regular operating schedule.

The vessel was out of service while repairs were being done at drydock in Halifax.

For more info, call Bay Ferries at 1-877-762-SAIL (7245) or here in Saint John 649-7777 or click here

City Dealing with Increasing Numbers Of Dangerous Buildings

The city has to cope with more and more dangerous buildings these days with 130 active cases.

That word given to Common Council by Building Inspector Amy Poffenroth who says getting landlords to maintain minimum standards in their buildings is even busier but the courts are co-operating by imposing higher fines for not complying.


She says last year a precendent setting fine of 11 thousand dollars was levied on one recalcitrant building owner.

Poffenroth says her department concentrates on the most dangerous buildings that pose a risk to public safety. One of those dangerous buildings on Victoria Street that was torched recently is being torn down.