Is Bilingualism Forcing New Brunswickers To Alberta?

Would less people leave for Alberta -- if bilingualism wasn't an issue?

That question being raised by Joyce Wright, a concerned citizen in St. Stephen, who claims English-only people are being denied government jobs because the province is keeping a 50% bilingual workforce in keeping with the Official Languages Act.

"Our bilingual population here in Charlotte County is only 8.07%. So requiring 50% of our government employees to be bilingual is discriminating against the majority of the population saying 'because you can only speak English, you can't have this job', and it's driving more and more people out west."

Wright tells Tide News, "At the Charlotte County Hospital, it's my belief that instead of denying an English-only speaking person a job, the government should say 'we have all this technology available to us, let's set up a translation center that an English employee can link into instantly to a translator' rather than enforcing a discriminatory hiring ratio."

Wright is welcoming anyone and everyone to contact her about a hard-copy petition as well as an online petition on www.change.org .
She says, "Let's get this going so more of our people are employed and we can stop saying goodbye to our friends and family who are moving out west by the droves because they can't get a job in New Brunswick."
To contact Joyce Wright, call 1-506-466-2431 or email at djwright@nbnet.nb.ca .

Gas Prices Rise Significantly

As the price of oil continues to rise on world markets, we're feeling the effect of that in Saint John after the weekly setting of gas prices. 

Self serve regular is over 5 cents a litre more expensive this morning at $1.29.6 in the city. Diesel rising, as well, to $1.33.1. 

Heating oil is up to a maximum of $1.15.8 a litre but propane is down a bit at a maximum price of 95.7 cents.
  
The price of oil closed yesterday at its highest level in 16 months. The price has jumped 14 per cent in the past two and a half weeks because of rising demand in the U.S. and upheaval in Egypt.

Bad Luck For Wanna-Be Thief

A 30 year old man is now facing a list charges as long as your arm in connection with an incident shortly after 1am today in Saint John.

Sergeant Jay Henderson tells Tide News police spotted a man looking in windows and checking cars near McLaren Boulevard. When they ran the name of the person, they found he van was stolen.When the man realized he was caught, he tried to run and a short foot chase followed.

He's now facing 6 charges including possession of stolen property, theft of a vehicle, possession of break and enter tools, drug possession,  resisting arrest, and assaulting a police officer.

He is also being investigated for a theft earlier in the evening at Sobeys on Westmoreland Road.

Alward Thanks NB Volunteers

The Premier is thanking people in the province for stepping up to help in the wake of summer tragedies.

David Alward also thanks the Red Cross for guiding the efforts to help the victims of Alberta and Ontario flooding and those suffering following the train disaster in Quebec.

He points out the Atlantic team of volunteers also provided help to those displaced after the Wabush forest fire in Labrador and another in northern Quebec.

You can donate to the Red Cross to provide help to those impacted by Alberta flooding and the aftermath of the Lac Megantic train derailment.

To make a donation, call 1-800-418-1111.