Provincial NDP Says Premier Has Alot Of Explaining To Do

A culture of lawlessness or at least willful indifference to the law.......Those are the words of Provincial NDP leader Dominic Cardy about the controversy over the expenses of M-L-A's. 

Cardy charges there was a coverup when Campbellton-Restigouche M-L-A Greg Davis fell more than six months behind on the rent payments for his constituency office.
Davis received 40 thousand dollars for his constituency expenses but details of how that money was spent haven't been released yet. 

Cardy charges both the Liberals and Conservatives would like the expenses controversy to just go away. He advocates a system where M-L-A's would put their expenses online for all to see with regular updates.

Shale Gas Opponents Say Job Claims By Alward Government Are Just Spin

The New Brunswick Anti-Shale Gas Alliance has scheduled a series of public meetings around the province, including one in Sussex, to give people all the information on shale gas instead of what it calls propaganda from the Alward Government. 

Jim Emberger of the Alliance tells Tide News if you look at the number of jobs created by shale gas in Pennsylvania, the claims being made in New Brunswick about how this will turn the economy around have been wildly overblown. He says in Pennsylvania, 4 jobs were created per well as opposed to the claim in the Deloitte Touche report that 21 jobs will be generated per well. 

Emberger also argues Massachusetts has created three times the number of jobs with green energy as compared to what Pennsylvania has generated with shale gas.

Holder Back In NYC To Promote The Two Nation Vacation

American travel writers in New York City getting an earful from a New Brunswick-Maine contingent singing the praises of the Two Nation Vacation.
 
Tourism Minister Trevor Holder tells Tide News they are talking to them about the newly renovated Algonquin Hotel and they were very interested in that.

Holder is in the Big Apple with Maine's Director of Tourism Carolann Ouellette and Nancy Blount of Blount Small Ship Adventures.
 
The province and port recently announcing that Blount will begin using Saint John for homeporting in 2015.

CFIA Issues Chicken Recall

A chicken product that could be in your fridge is being recalled due to the possible risk of listeria.

The recall impacts Kirkland Signature brand Grilled Chicken Breast Strips sold in this province, Ontario , Quebec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador and in Ontario.    It may also have been sold in other provinces.

If you bought this chicken throw it out or return it to the store where you bought it.

For more detail on the recall, click here

Assault Sends One Man To Hospital

An assault on the west side early this morning around 3:00 is being investigated by major crime. 

One man has been taken to hospital. City Police tell Tide News the altercation took place in the area of Church Avenue and Morris Street. So far, no one has been arrested.

Considerable damage was caused after a fire in a kitchen at a home on Seeley Street. One man was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. The fire did not spread to the rest of the house.

Canada Beats The Olympic Silver Medallists In Curling

Canada is just two wins away from winning gold at the Ford World Women's Curling Championship after defeating Sweden 9-6 to finish the round robin with a 10 and 1 record. 

With the win, Canada will meet Switzerland in the playoffs tonight at 7:30. The winner advances to Sunday night's gold medal game while the loser will play in tomorrow afternoon's semifinal. 

There's a tie breaker this afternoon at 2:30 with Sweden taking on South Korea.

NS Sexual Assault Trial Wrapping Up

The sexual assault trial involving a Halifax man is entering it's final stages.

Both sides in the case presented their closing arguments this afternoon in the high profile Supreme Court trial in Bridgewater.

John Leonard MacKean is facing two charges including sexual assault and another relating to prostitution.

MacKean denies the boy was chained up when he visited the cabin on September 20, 2012.

MacKean also testified he would have helped the 16 year old if he knew the boy was being held against his will.

However, the 64 year old admitted to touching the teenagers genitals while he was at the cabin in Upper Chelsea to get a massage.

The Crown has submitted DNA evidence that matches MacKean.

The defence argues the case comes down to credibility of witnesses and whether the victim was telling the truth while under oath due to varying versions of his story.

The jury will begin it's deliberations after it gets instructions from the judge tomorrow morning.

Which Of These Bills Is Counterfeit?

Getting some cash out of the ATM for the weekend? As you count it, make sure you take a close look at those bills--because fakes can be harder to spot than you might think.

Allan Paquet of the Bank of Canada was on hand at the Fraud Prevention expo at Market Square. He tells Tide News the new polymer bills are harder to fake, but not impossible.


The time-tested way to check a bill is to hold it up to a light source, like a window--here are images imbedded in the bill that won't be there if it's fake. As well, the new bills have raised ink around the number of the bill's denomination.

As for the above bills--the ten on the bottom is the fake one, although it's only apparent when you hold it up to a light source and compare its texture with the genuine bill, above.

Weston Says New Finance Minister Knows The Needs Of Saint John

Saint John MP Rodney Weston says he is saddened by Jim Flaherty's departure as Federal Finance Minister. Weston says Flaherty had a real affinity for Saint John but his replacement, Joe Oliver also knows what the local economic needs are.

Weston says Oliver has been to Saint John several times in his previous job as Natural Resources Minister when he spoke in favour of the proposed Energy East pipeline.

Questions Over Credibility Of Shale Gas Findings

The academics with the New Brunswick Energy Institute are credible but Provincial Green Party leader David Coon doesn't think the institute itself has any credibility in the eyes of the public. This, as the Institute launches a study into the impact of shale gas exploration on groundwater so whether its findings will carry any weight with New Brunswickers or change any minds remains to be seen.

The Energy Institute is a creation of the Alward Government and its reputation took a hit with the well publicised resignation of Professor Louis LaPierre over his academic qualifications.

A preliminary report from the Environmental Protection Agency in the U.S. on the effect of shale gas exploration on groundwater is expected later this year.

Team Canada Alone At 8 and 1 After Draw 15

After Draw 15 at the Ford World Women's Curling Championships, Canada is alone at 8 and 1 in the standings.

Korea beat the US 8-6, Russia downed Switzerland 8-5, Germany beat Latvia 6-4 and Sweden soundedly defeating China 10 to 5.

Russia, Switzerland and Sweden are all 8 and 2, Korea is 7 and 3 while China sits at 6 and 4.

Today, Scotland takes on the US while Canada plays China and tonight the Homan rink takes on Sweden.

MacKean Testifying At His Bridgewater Trial

A 64 year old Halifax man charged with sexual assault is testifying today during his Supreme Court trial in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.

John Leonard MacKean says he would have helped the teenage boy who was chained up and blindfolded if he had known he was being held against his will.

MacKean is accused of paying to perform sexual acts on the boy while he was chained up and blindfolded.

However, the 64 year old denies those charges and says he was duped into going to the cabin by Wayne Cunningham.

Cunningham was one of the main figures in the kidnapping and confinement of the 16 year old in Upper Chelsea.

MacKean also stated he never discussed paying to perform sexual acts on the boy.

The crown will have an opportunity to question MacKean later today.

A 12 member jury is expected to begin its deliberations later today or tomorrow.

Gas Prices Are Down Again But Not By Much

A bit of a price break for drivers after the weekly setting.

Self serve regular is selling for $1.34.3 a litre, down by just half a cent a litre.

Diesel will cost you less at $1.46.7 a litre. The maximum price has gone down by two cents a litre.

The maximum price for heating oil has also dropped by almost 2 cents a litre to stand at $1.29.3 and there has been another big drop in the maximum price of propane. We're talking just over 4 and a half cents a litre to $1.20.4.

Watch Out For This Scam In Charlotte County

The West District RCMP is warning St. George, Blacks Harbour, and other Charlotte County residents about a telephone scam currently being reported in the area.

Fraudsters are contacting people at home pretending to be Microsoft or Windows employees, telling you your computer has a virus, that they need to perform an important update. They may request payment for this "service" by asking you to provide banking or credit card information. This can result in money being stolen from you and viruses added to your computer.

If you or a loved one may have been a victim of this type of fraud, please contact local police.

Canada Wins Morning Match At Curling Championship

Canada improving to 7 and 1 at the Ford World Women's Curling championship with a 7-5 win over Germany. Switzerland is also at 7 and 1 after downing Scotland 10-5.

The M-C for the tournament, Stewart Brown tells Tide News there have been a lot of surprises such as when the Koreans knocked off the Swiss who were unbeaten.

Canada plays the Koreans at 2:30.

Brown says the curlers love Saint John and he calls Harbour Station an amazing venue. He predicts the playoffs which will take place after the round robin ends will be nail biters because the teams are so evenly matched.

Shots Fired In The North End

The Saint John Police Force Major Crime Unit is investigating shots fired at a home in the North End of Saint John around 5 am.

A 29 year old man has been arrested and is facing several weapons related charges. The gun believed to be used has been recovered and no injuries have been reported.

He's set make a provincial court appearance this afternoon to answer to the weapons charges as well as other Criminal Code Charges.

Fredericton Area Businessman Fined For Evading Taxes

A businessman from Upper Kingsclear, Michael Bruce Newman, has been fined more than 138 thousand dollars in Fredericton after pleading guilty to nine tax evasion charges.

Newman evaded personal income taxes totaling 99 thousand dollars for the 2007 to 2009 tax years. He also evaded over 39 thousand dollars HST between September of 2007 and December of 2009.

A Canada Revenue Agency investigation revealing he didn’t report any business income or HST during these years.

Newman operated a consulting business and also acted as a sub-contractor. He was hired to supply tandem trucks, tractor trailers, excavators and survey crews on construction sites.

Update On Condition Of Boy Bitten By Dog

Rothesay Regional Police giving us an update on the 11 year old boy who was mauled last week by a dog in French Village.

He required 11 stitches to his face and one of his arms as well as sustaining lacerations to his hip and back. Police telling Tide News he's doing well all things considered.

The dog was seized by the SPCA.

Auger Repeats As MVP

Sebastien Auger is only the second player in Sea Dogs history to repeat as the Most Valuable Player. He also picked up the Team Player award and the 3 Stars award.

He tells us the coaching staff build confidence in the players saying his goalie coach Jim Flemming is a great guy who helped work on the little things that made the difference in the end.

Jason Cameron repeated winning the Community Service Award and also picked up Academic player of the year.
He admits it's tough balancing hockey and the demands of university but he says you find for both and it pays off.

Fredericton's Oliver Cooper won the Top Scorer award and Fan's choice calling it honour to win.
Olivier Leblanc is the Top Defenseman, Thomas Chabot picked up Most Improved Player and Rookie of the Year went to Newfoundland's Nathan Noel.

Chris Di Domenico is the other Sea Dog to repeat as MVP.

Algonquin To Unveil New Year-Long Renovation Today With Celebration

It's a Big Day in St. Andrews-By-The-Sea!

This afternoon -- after a year-long, multi-million dollar renovation -- the Algonquin Resort is opening its doors to everyone to celebrate their new beginning.

General Manager Tim Ostrem telling Tide News the biggest differences will be the availability of the hotel with all the rooms accustomed for winter and summer months, as well as the 3-storey water slide that runs outside of the building. he says the indoor pool is a completely new facility.

At 1:30pm, everyone will gather on the veranda for warm drinks, s'mores and live music.
At 2pm,  welcome speeches will be heard with an autograph signing.

An Open House will follow at 2:30pm.