Author Archives: brucewark

NB Power defends plans for Isthmus gas plant in the face of overwhelming community opposition

Posted on January 15, 2026 by brucewark

About 170 people attended a public gathering on the Mount Allison University campus Wednesday evening as New Brunswick Power fielded questions about the proposed 500 MW gas/diesel generating plant on the ecologically sensitive Chignecto Isthmus. Doug Bliss, chair of Tantramar … Continue reading →

Posted in climate change, Environment, Indigenous affairs, NB Power | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Citizens gather to support Sackville firefighters as town pledges to hire external investigator

Posted on January 13, 2026 by brucewark

About 75 people showed up outside Tantramar Town Hall tonight to support the 12 Sackville firefighters who turned in their pagers last week bringing the number of on-call firefighters to only about 18, in a department where full strength would … Continue reading →

Posted in Sackville Fire & Rescue, Town of Tantramar | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Sackville firefighters accept CAO’s invitation for meeting to discuss grievances

Posted on January 9, 2026 by brucewark

The 12 volunteer firefighters, who turned in their pagers on Monday, say they have accepted an invitation to meet with Tantramar’s Chief Administrative Officer Jennifer Borne to discuss why they felt they had to step away from their workplace at … Continue reading →

Posted in Sackville Fire & Rescue, Town of Tantramar | Tagged | 2 Comments

Tantramar mayor & CAO will not comment on Sackville fire dept. staffing crisis

Posted on January 8, 2026 by brucewark

The Town of Tantramar is suggesting public safety has not been affected by the lack of firefighting staff in the Sackville fire department. “Tantramar Fire Service is committed to upholding the high-quality service delivery that it has offered Tantramar residents … Continue reading →

Posted in Sackville Fire & Rescue, Town of Tantramar | 9 Comments

Mt. A. prof calls on Tantramar councillors to take more active role in solving fire dept. crisis

Posted on January 6, 2026 by brucewark

Mount Allison University Politics Professor Geoff Martin says it’s time for Tantramar councillors to get more involved in dealing with the problems in the Sackville fire department. “I mean, it’s not just the mayor and the CAO who administer the … Continue reading →

Posted in Mount Allison University, Sackville Fire & Rescue, Town of Sackville, Town of Tantramar | Tagged | 7 Comments

12 Sackville firefighters turn in their pagers as turmoil continues in the department

Posted on January 5, 2026 by brucewark

A dozen members of Sackville Fire & Rescue turned in their pagers today at town hall and delivered a two-page letter outlining their grievances to Chief Administrative Officer Jennifer Borne. This brings the roster of Sackville volunteer firefighters to about … Continue reading →

Posted in Sackville Fire & Rescue, Town of Sackville | Tagged , | 15 Comments

NB Power lacks ‘social licence’ for Centre Village gas plant activists say

Posted on January 3, 2026 by brucewark

Meredith Fisher of Seniors for Climate Action Now (SCAN) says New Brunswick Power does not have the social licence needed to operate a big gas/diesel generating plant in the community of Tantramar. “This is a democratic country and we have … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, NB Power, Town of Tantramar | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Unprecedented: Big industry takes a pass trying to lower NB Power rate

Posted on December 30, 2025 by brucewark

With prices set to jump, J.D. Irving Limited, Twin Rivers Paper and other firms that use lots of electricity don’t plan to put up a fight this time by John Chilibeck, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter. Source: Telegraph-Journal. December 29, 2025 … Continue reading →

Posted in LJI stories, NB Power | Tagged , | Leave a comment

NB gov’t ‘cannot cancel’ PROENERGY contract, Holt says in response to AWI letter

Posted on December 29, 2025 by brucewark

New Brunswick’s premier says her government “cannot cancel” the contract between NB Power and the U.S. company PROENERGY as suggested in a strongly worded letter from Barry Rothfuss, executive director of the Atlantic Wildlife Institute. “The project is currently undergoing … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, NB Power, New Brunswick government, New Brunswick politics, Town of Tantramar | Tagged , | 2 Comments

‘End of the Liberal honeymoon’? Holt orders big cuts to gov’t spending

Posted on December 22, 2025 by brucewark

By: John Chilibeck, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter. Source: The Daily Gleaner New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt says she’s asked all government departments to find savings of 10 to 15% in time for the 2026 budget in the spring, an enormous … Continue reading →

Posted in LJI stories, New Brunswick government, New Brunswick politics | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Peaker plants, batteries & Swiss Army knives: Tantramar councillors quiz NB Power on Isthmus gas plant

Posted on December 20, 2025 by brucewark

NB Power Vice President Brad Coady says the proposed 500 MW gas/diesel plant on the Chignecto Isthmus would serve many functions. “I describe it as the Swiss Army knife that our system doesn’t have today,” Coady said in response to … Continue reading →

Posted in NB Power, Town of Tantramar | Tagged , | 4 Comments