CUPE Protests In Front Of MLA's Office In St. Stephen

Milltown Blvd. being bombarded with a protest in front of Conservative MLA Curtis Malloch's office today.

President of the NB Council of Nursing Home Unions Wayne Brown tells Tide News the province keeps saying there will be no lay-offs, but in reality, there's too much money they are looking to save. "We're here in front of the MLA's office, bringing our concerns to him and that we are not happy with the announcement of sixteen nursing homes losing their linen service, the bedding, the towels, etc that they are now contracting out to Saint John."

Brown says there has been talk about contracting out dietaries or housekeeping services in the homes, and they are worried what will be cut next.
Brown says he doesn't see how $3 million in savings can be reached without someone getting axed.

Curtis Malloch says he welcomed the protestors to his office and promises to bring the issue to the legislature tomorrow.

Prosecution Of Saint John Doctor Delayed

There has been a delay in setting a date for a preliminary hearing on 9 charges of sexual assault laid against a Saint John doctor.
 
More charges were not laid against Dr. Alan Cockeram although his lawyer Brian Munro says they're pending. Munro told the court he was having trouble getting disclosure from the prosecution with the explanation that the investigation is ongoing and he may have to go to the Court of Queen's Bench. 

The prosecution says more people have come forward.

Munro is suggesting some of the complaints may be frivolous. 

The case has been adjourned to July 18th to have a date set for a preliminary hearing.

Victims' Rep For Youth & Training Centre Case Named Child & Youth Advocate

The lawyer who represented sexual abuse victims of the Youth Training Centre in Kingsclear in the early nineties has been appointed the province's Child & Youth Advocate. 

Norman Bossé tells Tide  News we can't forget about the breakdown in the system that allowed abuse to continue when pedophile Karl Toft was at the centre, and we have to work to prevent it from happening again.

He says as members of society, if and when we recognize abuse of children, we have a responsibility to report it. He says we have to work together to protect the province's children and youth.

Bossé will be leaving his post at law firm McInnes Cooper at the end of July to step into his new role.

Hunters Can Now Apply For Deer Draw

If you're a hunter who's feeling lucky, you can now enter this year's antlerless deer draw.

There are 3,450 deer permits available for the random, computerized draw. The province's deer population has stayed relatively stable over the last year, so the number of permits are at the same level as they were a year ago. 

The results come in the week of August 19, and successful applications will get a validation sticker in the mail before October 1. Click here for more information, including how to apply.