Tips For Your Holiday Shopping

Whether you're kick-starting your holiday shopping, or maybe you just need a few more things. RedFlagDeals.com has some tips for you.

Fiona Story, spokesperson of the company, says make sure you do your research before heading to the store.  "Have you're list ready, go to the store and make sure you have your coupon or deal codes," she says. 

Adding, make sure you've updated your apps as well, because in a lot of cases you can just show the app or the deal at the cash. She says a lot of hot deals are on televisions and cameras. 

Many retailers have specific deals going live at certain times. Story says, "really keeping up to date on what's being pushed when, is a good way to capitalize on the best savings."

Don't Forget About Winter Parking Bans

Don't forget, the yearly winter overnight parking restriction goes into effect on Sunday at midnight, and stays in effect until March 31st.

This means no parking on most city streets between midnight and 7 a.m.

Some streets are exempt from the parking restriction. For a map of those  streets, go to saintjohn.ca/winter.

Saint John Jewish Community Celebrates Chanukah Tonight

The Saint John Jewish community celebrates the festival of Chanukah tonight, and everyone in the community is invited to attend the menorah-lighting ceremony.

Chanukah began on Wednesday, and the menorah-lighting starts at 6pm, at the Saint John Jewish Historical Museum and synagogue, 91 Leinster Street. 

Chanukah songs, educational information, and light refreshments are all on the program.The eight-day festival celebrates the victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks which allowed the the Jews the freedom to worship God. All are welcome to participate.

Premier Says Former Council Made It More Difficult To Reach Agreement

It was no secret Premier David Alward and former Mayor Ivan Court did not see eye to eye on solving the city's pension problem and a public-private partnership for clean water. 

Alward says the better the relationship the city has with the province and federal government, the better it will be for Saint Johnners.

Court, who has spoken out against the shared risk pension model for provincial retirees like himself, will be seeking the Liberal nomination in Saint John Lancaster for the next provincial election.

Power Coming Back For Charlotte County

Progess for those without electricity today following the nasty storm.

NB Power reports just over 1200 are off the grid now across the province.    


Around here in Charlotte County only 39 people left without power.

It's expected you should have your lights back by this evening.

Hospital Patients In Province Surveyed

With Horizon Health asking for patient feedback and Provincial Health Minister Ted Flemming's wish for patient centred care, the New Brunswick Health Council has released the results of its own survey of patients. 

C-E-O Stephane Robichaud tells Tide News there could be better communication with patients when it comes to transitioning from hospital to their homes and about the proper use of their drugs.

Robichaud says the main area for improvement would be cleanliness. Only 53.2 per cent of patients across the province say their room and washroom were always kept clean. That percentage is lower than it was in a similar survey done back in 2010.

Three out of four patients give their hospital stay a thumbs up.

Simonds High Evacuated After Bomb Scare

Part of Simonds High school in Saint John has been evacuated around noon after a student claimed to have a bomb and weapon.

Police have formed a perimeter around the high school and are checking it over as a precaution.

No weapons or bombs have been found and no one has been injured. Police are now dismantling the perimeter and say all the students are safe and

Charlotte County Hit Hard By Nor-easter

The high winds causing power outages throughout the region.

More than 2 thousand homes and businesses were in the dark in the St. Stephen region including Beaver Harbour, Pennfield and Musquash. 
 

Wind speeds peaked at 91 kilometers an hour at Saint John Airport and got up to 100 kilometers an hour at Point Lepreau.

Environment Canada reports Saint John received 88.5 millimeters of rain yesterday, and 61.5 mms in St. Stephen.

Power Outages For Thousands Due To High Winds

3166 NB Power customers in the dark throughout the province with outages in Fredericton, Bouctouche, and St Stephen.


High winds have hit Charlotte County the hardest with over 2-thousand people without power.

Crews are working to get power back no but there's no word yet on when that will be.

Local Companies Encouraged To Join Shipbuilding Supplier Registry

Local companies being encouraged to try and get a piece of the shipbuilding action in Halifax. 

Enterprise Saint John hosting an information session for people looking to learn more about joining the supplier registry for the Irving Shipbuilding program.

Janet Scott of Enterprise Saint John tells Tide News there are over 100 different categories of materials and services that will be needed throughout the modernization program.

Scott says there are over 70 companies from the Port City on the registry, and about five have already have contracts, including Hemmings House Pictures who are documenting the upgrades to the Halifax shipyard. Mary Keith of JDI tells us there are about 2000 businesses in total currently registered on the site.

Irving Shipbuilding investing $300 million to upgrade the shipyard in Halifax.

One Swallow Does Not A Summer Make For Grits

One swallow does not a summer make--and just because the Liberals came close to toppling the Tory stronghold of Brandon-Souris in Manitoba doesn't mean they're a shoo-in against the Tories despite Justin Trudeau's apparent confidence. 

UPEI political science professor Don Desserud tells Tide News the Conservative Party needs to listen carefully to the rumblings of discontent with the Harper government.

Desserud says the NDP is probably the most disappointed party with very little to grab on to in terms of recent successes, and Thomas Mulcair's attacks on the senate are an easy way for them to score points with very little risk considering there are no New Democrat senators.

Provincial Health Minister and Liberal Leader Go Toe To Toe

Provincial Health Minister Ted Flemming and Liberal leader Brian Gallant locking horns in the Legislature on the Alward Government's promised catastrophic drug plan. 

Flemming refused to be pinned down on an exact date when the plan will be in place and then turned the tables, asking Gallant about his proposed moratorium on shale gas development, calling it a raw attempt to win votes and predicting it will be over the day after the provincial election is over.

Flemming says the catastrophic drug plan will be coming down during the current sitting of the Legislature but anything good takes time to put in place.

Car Goes Off Road At Lepreau

(Photo Courtesy of Lt Paul Poirier)

Musquash Fire reporting a single vehicle crash along Route 790 in Lepreau, likely caused by icy road conditions. 

A car with four people inside went off the road and rolled down a deep ditch before landing on its wheels. 

The people inside managed to get out of the car by the time firefighters arrived. Two of them were taken to hospital with what looked like minor injuries.

No Charges Laid In Pennfield Overpass Crash

No charges being laid in a crash atop the Pennfield overpass.

RCMP tell Tide News a semi-tractor trailer reportedly turned into the opposing lane at the 785/176 overpass at Pennfield and collided nearly head-on with a sedan yesterday around noon.

Cpl. Jayson Hanson says the two people in the car were from Utopia and were sent to the Regional Hospital with injuries.

Police do not believe alcohol or speed were factors in the crash but the crash is still under investigation.

The crash blocked both lanes and stopped traffic for over an hour.

Cardy Calling On Grits & Tories To Join Forces Against Senate

Provincial NDP leader Dominic Cardy is calling on the Liberals and Conservatives to follow what they did at the Saskatchewan Legislature and pass a vote calling for the abolition of the Senate. 

Premier David Alward indicated earlier he wanted to see an elected Senate but Cardy tells Tide News that was then.


A recent poll by Corporate Rsearch Associates found nearly half of people in the province who gave any thought at all to the Senate wanted to see it abolished.

Traffic Disruption Near Lorneville

Traffic being disrupted along Highway 1 near Lorneville this morning after a tractor trailer wound up on the median after leaving the highway. 

The fire department was called to clean up the fuel that spilled. 

One lane going westbound was blocked. Both lanes going eastbound are open but the tractor trailer will have to be towed and, when that happens, traffic going eastbound will also be disrupted.

HHN Wants Feedback from You

Did you have an experience at a Horizon Health facility you think they should know about?  Here is your chance to tell them about it.

Horizon Health Network President and CEO John McGarry says over the 15 to 20 years with more regionalization they have distanced themselves from patients and communities.

He says they want people to give them a call and they'll sit down with them and talk about their experience.     He adds they are not looking for a blow by blow of there event in the hospital but the overall experience.

McGarry says they will inform the board about their progress and try and institute some of the common themes were are hearing about.

He adds they are looking  at everything from the admission process, the care received to parking.

To contact Horizon Health to get involved, call 1-855-661-0661.

$1.5 Million Dam Modernization Project Complete

The dam at the mouth of the Magaguadavic River in Charlotte County looking a little different after the completion of a six-month modernization project. 

The former stop log gates at the old dam site in St. George being upgraded with three new hydraulic steel gates. Before the changes, opening and closing the gates could take up to eight hours, now it takes 30 minutes. Geoff Britt of JDI tells Tide News the process is now quicker and safer for workers.

The fish passage also getting some improvements. To watch a video of the upgrade at the dam, click here.

New President Being Sought At Atlantica Centre For Energy

The Atlantica Centre for Energy is looking for a new President. 

Former M-P John Herron has left to join the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board. 

Former President Tim Currie has returned from retirement on an interim basis, telling Tide News the search is on for Herron's replacement and he expects someone will be chosen by the Board of Directors in the new year.

Four Federal Byelections Today May Tell A Lot

Four federal byelections are being held across the country today and polling indicates the Liberals have a chance to take the Conservative stronghold in Brandon-Souris. Conservatives are said to be divided there because of the nomination process but the Senate expense scandal has also been mentioned during the campaign. 

Prime Minister Harper is accusing the opposition parties of blocking his Senate Reform which Beausejour Liberal M-P Dominic Leblanc scoffs at, pointing out Harper has appointed more senator than any Prime Minister in the last 25 years and has not pushed for vote on his proposed Senate reforms. Leblanc adds the P-M has not pushed for a vote on Senate reform. 

A lot of attention is also being paid to Toronto Centre, long considered a Liberal stronghold, where the NDP is running a high profile candidate, author and social commentator Linda McQuaig. The Liberals are going with Chrysta Freeland who has written for the Financial Times and appeared on CNN and Morning Joe on MSNBC.

Executive Of Alberta Oil & Gas Company Gives Perspective On Shale Gas

A high flyer with an Alberta Gas company stopping off in the province to talk about the evolution of the oil and gas industry.  

Keith Steeves of NAL Resources, tells Tide News, when it comes to getting rid of environmental concerns over fracking with shale gas exploration,"you can never alleviate every concern from every person," he says.  However, he does say you can create a situation that deals with a lot of the concerns. 

  "I would say Alberta is a great example. I wouldn't say that we are completely with people that don't have issues, but I would say that it's fairly well known and a common industry, and people are comfortable in terms of what we do from a drilling perspective," he says.

 Steeves claims shale gas has the capacity to create thousands of jobs.

How Many Hours Should You Be Spending In Dreamland?

When it comes to how many hours you should be spending in dreamland, there is no magic number.

The Medical Director of the Sleep Centre at the Regional Hospital, Dr. Rachel Morehouse says, the question of sleep need is probably the most common question she gets asked.

She tells us, the amount differs from person to person and some of it's based on genetics.

"It's quite simple, you need the amount of sleep that will make you feel rested and energetic the day, but that varies between individuals," she says.

She says there are some people at the extreme ends, who may need up to 12 hours of sleep a night, and some who may only need five. Most of us, she says, need about seven and a half.

Caregiving And Aging Presentation Hosted By Alzheimer Café

Saint John Alzheimer Café holding a caregiving and aging Presentation today.
 
Guest speaker, Dr. Amy D’Aprix is an expert in aging, retirement and caregiving. Much of her work focuses on working with seniors and their caregiving families.

She's the author of two books about caregiving and friendship, and has given presentations across North America.

The presentation being held today at 2pm-4pm, at St. Mark’s Church, in Saint John West.

Locals Building Shelters For Stray Cats

Stray cats in the city will be getting a cozy home, all thanks to a group in Saint John making cat shelters.

It's the first, "Build a Shelter Campaign," where shelters will be made out of donated supplies such as wood, straw, and rubber totes, and distributed throughout the city.

Yvonne Steeves is the owner of Puddy N' Pooch Palace, a pet resort at 688 Rothesay Avenue. The event is being hosted at the shop today from 10am -5pm.

She tells us "Something needs to be done about the stray and feral cats in the city, and unfortunately all of the shelter and reuses are completely full. There's no way to possibly get all the cats off the street."

Wind Knocks Over Power Pole In Saint John

Saint John Police responding to a power pole being knocked out by the wind this afternoon.

The pole fell at the Milford Trailer Park, early this afternoon.

Police tell us there is minimal damage.

Life Long Journey Of Adoption Conference Being Held Today

A conference being held today called the Life Long Journey of Adoption. The event is designed for those considering adoption, have already adopted, or are working in the field.
 
Suzanne Kingston is the Executive Director of the New 
Brunswick Adoption Foundation. She tells us, the conference will touch on themes such as school, transition from foster care to adoption and the connection with birth families. 

The adoption conference is being held at Future Inns Moncton, from 8:30 to 4:30 today.

Police Respond To Report Of Driver Waving Weapon In Vehicle

Saint John Police responding to a report of a driver waving around a weapon in his car.

They didn't find a weapon when they searched his car.

 However, they did find drugs. A 25-year-old man is being charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Overnight Fire At Shamrock Park

Crews responding to a structure fire at the field house in Shamrock Park early this morning. 

Crews found heavy smoke conditions in the building, and were on the scene for about two hours.  

The fire being contained to the rear section of the building.
The fire is now under investigation by Saint John Fire, and Saint John Police. It's suspected to be a case of arson.

ECMA Award Winner To Give 1st Screening Of New Music Video In St. Stephen

Country Singer Mike Biggar giving a big announcement for his upcoming concert tonight.

He gave the news via Facebook yesterday morning, stating those who come to the show at St.Stephen High School will be the first ever to see the debut of his brand new video for "Feels Like Now".

The song is the title track on his new album, of the same name.

Biggar says before it goes on YouTube or anywhere else online, friends and fans at the show tonight will get a premiere screening.
Biggar won the Music NB Award for Spiritual Recording of the Year in 2011 and an ECMA Awards for Gospel Recording of the Year in 2012.

Tickets are $10 at the door and kids under 12 get in to the concert free of charge with a parent or guardian.
The concert starts at 7:30pm with doors open at 7pm.

UNB Professor Recognized For Sex Research

A professor at UNB getting recognition for her work in sex research.
Dr. Sandra Byers, professor of psychology, is internationally recognized as the most important sex scientist of the last 100 years.  Byers tells Tide News, more communication is needed when it comes to sexuality.


"It became clear to me that there are big gaps in our knowledge of sexuality, that people had sexual issues, sexual problems, sexual concerns that weren't being well addressed. It's really the gaps that drove me into this field," she says.

Byers is recognized for contributing some of the most important information to the understanding of women's and men's social interactions. She's being awarded the 2013 Alfred C. Kinsey Award by the Society of Scientific Research for Sexuality.

Executive Of Alberta Energy Company Talks To UNB About Oil & Gas

A senior executive from an Alberta oil and gas company, giving a lecture at UNB about the evolution of oil and gas.

 Keith Steeves CFO of NAL Resources, tells Tide News, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers are expecting the gas industry will create over 300,000 jobs across Canada. He says this is expected over the next 25 years.

"There's tremendous amount of spinoff  from energy type drilling services," he says. Adding that about 400 people are involved with the drilling of a well.

Steeves  points out that he's not speaking from a political stance, but he expects shale gas development would create many jobs in New Brunswick.

Another Ederly Man Dies Burning Yard Debris

In the second incident of its kind in New Brunswick this year,an elderly man has died while burning debris in his yard.

RCMP in Perth Andover are reporting an 81 year old man was found deceased with some burns to his body after doing some yard work. This happened before back in May in Hampton when another elderly man passed away under similar circumstances.

Foul play isn't suspected in either case. The man's name is not being released.

Local Student To Open For Country Singer Tomorrow Night

One local young lady is ready for a bigger stage to perform her music.

15-year-old Jenna Carson is one of the opening acts for Country Singer Mike Biggar tomorrow night at the St. Stephen High School.

Jenna's Mom, Stacey Carson tells Tide News she's been playing guitar since she was 7, and resembles another big-time songstress -- Taylor Swift. Carson says her daughter is "kinda country, kinda alternative" and sounds like Swift.

Carson also says her daughter has performed at the Ganong Nature Park Fall Fair and at Chocolate-Fest in St. Stephen.

Jenna will be performing one of her own original songs, titled "Butterflies"  at the concert, and country duo "Dashboard" will also be opening.
Tickets are $10, and are still available at Stuart's Gifts in St. Stephen. Kids 12 and under get in free of charge. The concert will begin at 7:30pm.

Boudreau: Pensioners Being "Forced" To Accept Shared Risk

A heated exchange in Question Period today between Shediac—Cap-Pelé MLA Victor Boudreau and Finance Minister Blaine Higgs over whether the Shared Risk model is the only option for the public service pension plan.

Higgs responded that there have been actuarial reports done from the get-go and they've done their due diligence--but Boudreau argues there's been a lack of transparency and the model has been "forced" on the retirees and current pensioners.

Boudreau says if there is an actuarial plan on the Shared Risk model, the finance minister should table it in the legislature.

Party Leaders Butt Heads Over Shale Gas

Premier David Alward and Provincial Liberal leader Brian Gallant clashing over shale gas.

 Gallant says the Conservatives are jumping ahead too fast without giving enoough consideration to the effect on human health and the environment. 

He points to a document from the Environmental Protection Agency in the U.S. which talks about the potential hazards to human health of fracking. He charges the Alward Government decided to press ahead without giving due consideration to human health, the environment and royalties.

The Premier dismisses the Liberals as "the moratorium party", accusing them of having no plan for growing the provincial economy.

Demolition Starting On Simm's Factory

The Simm's brush factory in announced back in the summer it would be closing down its Saint John operations and laying off 35 employees--and now JDI has confirmed the iconic glass building itself will be demolished in the new year. 

Mary Keith of JDI explains demolition has already begun on the wooden building that is behind the iconic glass-fronted factory on Simm's Corner--and by the new year, the factory itself will be levelled and the site used for heavy industrial purposes.

Keith says they're looking at all the options when it comes to traffic calming on Simm's Corner, but the solution won't necessarily involve a divestiture of any of that land.

Simms has been a family business since it was founded in 1866. 

The glass building was built in 1912.

Shared Risk Pension Model Called "Irresponsible"

" Policy development on the fly".........That's what provincial government retirees are calling the shared risk pension model and have their own expert criticising what's being proposed. 

The Pension Coalition calls Bernard Dussault one of the original architects who reformed the Canada Pension Plan as well as being actuary for the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada. 

Dussault is denouncing the shared risk model as irresponsible because it lacks the standard actuarial projections on how much it will wind up costing along with what the short, medium and long term financial effects will be on the provincial pension plan itself.

Shared Risk Pension Model Getting The Thumbs Up

New Brunswick is ground zero in the pension crisis. So says Jim Leech, the C-E-O of the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan. 

He tells Tide News the shared risk model that was adopted by the city and is being embraced by the Alward Government is the right thing to do. He says it is the only solution to the demographic time bomb with public pension plans that have defined benefits.

Leech says to exclude retirees and put the entire risk on current provincial government employees is unfair. 

Leech has praise for Premier David Alward and those labour leaders in the province who realised the seriousness of the problem.

Mental Health First Aid Offered In Saint John

You can take advantage of another kind of first aid that's available in the port city. Mental Health First Aid courses are being offered in Saint John.
 
The courses are part of the Mental Health Commission of Canada. The training offers techniques to help people dealing with mental health problems such as anxiety disorders, mood, psychotic, and substance-related disorders. There are also specific classes offered for adults who interact with youth.

A panic attack is an example of a mental health problem, emerging as a crisis. In that instance, crisis first aid skills are taught, to provide effective first aid to somebody having a panic attack.

Sjors Reijers is manager of national program promotions and business development at the Mental Health Commission of Canada. He tells Tide News, the courses are intended to start a conversation about mental health.


"The real challenge is being aware and tuned in to changes in behavior. It's not to assume that every change in behavior is because of an emerging mental health problem, but rather to be able to start a conversation about mental health."


To find out how to get involved with Mental Health First Aid courses check out the course listing at www.mentalhealthfirstaid.ca

Liberals Call For Review After Grow-Op At Senior's Home

The Opposition Liberals calling on the Province to review special care homes following the discovery of a grow-op in Clark's Corner last week.
 
Victor Boudreau asking the Minister of Social Development Madeleine Dube when the home in question was last inspected.

Dube says the government does have a program of inspection in place across the province.

She says the province has about 400 care home in the province where they do annual inspections and spotchecks. 

 Dube adds Public Health and Public Safety are also involved with these homes as well.

After a fire in the Clark's Corner senior care home, a grow-op was discovered where police seized 550 pot plants.  

Boudreau says 6 seniors were displaced because of the fire and bust so he questions why Dube can't speak about this case since it's been widely reported in the media.

Gallant & Alward Tangle In The Leg

Some lively debates in the legislature on changes to employment insurance. 

Liberal Leader Brian Gallant asking the Premier again if the government to going to release a completed report from last June on EI changes.

Gallant says the report is on their own civil service speaking to what impact employment insurance changes might have.

Premier Alward rose to say he is confident the work will get done on the goverment side of the house.

He attacked Gallant and the oppostion calling them a moratorium party and a do-nothing party.

Police Release Names Of Those Wanted On Warrants

The Rothesay Regional Police looking for the public's help finding 9 men and 1 woman wanted on warrants for a variety of offenses from suspending driving to fraud, and break and enter.

The Kennebecasis Crime Stoppers have pre-approved rewards of $500 for any information that leads to the arrest of any of the wanted individuals.

Paul Thomas Romanoff, age 50       (Pre-Approved Reward $500)
Warrant of arrest for fraud and failure to appear


Phillip Anthony CURTIS, age 39       (Pre-Approved Reward $500)
 Warrant of arrest for breaking & entering


Jordan Stephen Paul ROWE, age 20
    Warrant of arrest for breaking & entering  (Pre-Approved Reward $500)
 Warrant of committal for suspended driving, $960 or 23 days
Warrant of committal for suspended driving, $600 or 15 days


William Henry MARTIN, age 42
 Warrant of committal for driving while suspended, $1200 or 27 days
 Warrant of committal for driving while suspended, $500 or 13 days


Ernest William ANDREWS, age 39
Warrant of arrest for Impaired Driving


Kevin Stanley SAUNDERS, age 33
Warrant of committal for driving while suspended, $1200 or 27 days


Kyle Anthony SMITH, age 21
  Warrant of committal for driving while suspended, $510 or 27 days 


Stephen Joseph MATTSON, age 32
 Warrant of committal for driving while suspended, $1001 or 24 days


Tara Alexandra HICKS, age 24
Warrant of committal for driving while suspended, $560 or 15 days


Shawn Adam DAY, age 36
Warrant of committal for driving while prohibited, $500 or 6 days
Warrant of committal for theft under $5000, $250 or 3 days

Snook Is Considering An Appeal

Former Saint John Common Councillor Donnie Snook reportedly has filed a notice of appeal, saying the 18 year sentence he received for more than 40 charges of child abuse and exploitation is unreasonable. 

At the time, his lawyer Dennis Boyle called the sentence approriate. Prosecutor Karen Lee Lamrock told the court if you were looking at sentencing on each individual charge, you would be talking about 75 years in prison. 

Snook is expected to plead guilty to four more sex charges on November 28th from his time in Newfoundland before coming to Saint John.

Students From New Brunswick Bringing Concerns To Parliament Hill

This group could have some tough questions for Senators and MP's in Ottawa.

Over 60 New Brunswick students are in the nation's capital this week for the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations conference.

Some U-N-B Saint John students are in the group and will be on hand for Ottawa Hill day where they can meet with Ministers, MP's and Senators.

They are also there with a mission. The students want lobby the government to remove earnings penalties for students and increase the proportion of up front needs based financial assistance.

They also plan to speak with government members about reforming study permit policies to make Canada an international education destination.

Companies Recognised For Innovation

A high-energy crowd in Saint John celebrating innovation in the province with an awards ceremony. 

Eight New Brunswick companies getting awards for their work in one of the province's six strategic sectors at the Innov8 Awards. 

Economic Development Minister Bruce Fitch presenting the winning companies with their hardware. He tells CHSJ News innovation is one of the areas that's very important to the province with the government has committed 80-million-dollars over the next five years towards innovation as part of a bigger plan to grow the province's economy.
 
Mycodev Group winning the most Innovative Start-Up of 2013, while Propel ICT took home the award for Excellence in Fostering Innovation.

Man Seriously Injured After Fall

A dramatic rescue taking place last night at Black River Wharf off Garnett Settlement Road on the outskirts of east Saint John. 

Platoon Chief Peter Saab says a man was climbing down a ladder when he slipped and fell thirty feet to the deck of a boat below. 

The fire department's high angled rescue team was then called into service. A patient lift system had to be constructed by using ropes, pulleys and an aerial ladder in order to lift the man from the deck from where he was taken to the Regional Hospital with what are described as substantial injuries.

Province Announces Union Support For Pension Changes

Most of the unions that represent the civil service are now on board with proposed changes to the public pension plan, according to a release by the provincial government.

Those changes include the controversial move to the shared risk model, which it is hoped will redress the $1 billion deficit for the public service plan. 

The government claims the the pension legislation will make sure retirees will never see their pensions reduced from their current level and will continue to get cost of living increases; however, the Pension Coalition of New Brunswick has protested the changes all along as unjust and potentially actionable. 


Provincial Liberals say they will vote against the legislation introduced by the Alward Government.

Marilyn Quinn of the New Brunswick Nurses Union has said they're confident it's the best solution to provide pension security.

Dennis Oland In Court Again

If anyone was expecting a speedy resolution to the Richard Oland murder investigation now that charges have been laid against his son Dennis, they might be sorely disappointed.  

Dennis Oland made a brief court appearance this  morning in connection with his second degree murder charge in his father's death over two years ago.

On January 21st, a date will set for a preliminary hearing that will determine if there's enough evidence to go to trial. The adjournment was requested due to the amount of documentation according to Oland's lawyer--and the trial might not happen until late 2014.

Richard Oland was found dead in his Canterbury Street office in July, 2011.

SJPD Warn Of Credit Card Scam

The fraud section of the Saint John police are warning the public of a credit card scam.
 
Back on November 12th, three people were arrested and found with many fake i.d.'s and credit cards. Sgt. Jay Henderson says police believe it is part of an organized credit card fraud ring operating in this province and in PEI for the last two months.

He says the suspects would enter a business, pick an item and present a credit card to the cashier saying the magnetic strip was not working. Then then ask the store's employee to enter the number manually to make the item go through. The card given to the employee was counterfeit and the number on the card was stolen.   

The SJPD Fraud section advises businesses owners to speak to their employees and see if this happened to their business. To contact police call 648-3333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or click here.

Fund To Support Start-Up Community Announced

Those aspiring entrepreneurs who think they've got the next big idea can apply for some help through a newly announced fund. 

The Executive Director of the Pond-Deshpande Centre at UNB, Karina LeBlanc tells Tide News the Saint John True Growth Innovation Fund is designed to spur early stage innovators into action.

The fund is between $1000 and $5000 and the money is meant to help the entrepreneur build a case so they can go out and pitch to those who can then give them more funding. Click here for more information on the fund.

The launch of the fund at the Creative Soup Building uptown also kicking off Global Entrepreneurship Week.