Category Archives: New Brunswick government

Allain denies contentious Bill would erode local democracy as municipal leaders call for change

Posted on May 27, 2023 by brucewark

As New Brunswick moves further away from democratic decision-making in health and education, the minister of local government is defending proposed legislation that could override the powers of municipal councils. “It’s important that people understand that we’re not eroding any … Continue reading →

Posted in New Brunswick government, New Brunswick politics | Tagged , | 5 Comments

DTI mum on Sackville bridge damage & repairs

Posted on March 4, 2023 by brucewark

In spite of repeated requests for information over a three-day period, New Brunswick’s department of transportation and infrastructure (DTI) isn’t saying anything to Warktimes about damage to one of Sackville’s busiest bridges. The local RCMP detachment has confirmed that at 1:53 … Continue reading →

Posted in New Brunswick government, Town of Tantramar | Tagged , | Leave a comment

New NB book celebrates victory in historic CUPE strike

Posted on February 4, 2023 by brucewark

A new book outlines what happened when Premier Blaine Higgs pushed public sector workers too far, leading to a 16-day strike by 22,000 members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees in the fall of 2021. “Our victory was not … Continue reading →

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

NB Greens gearing up for next provincial election, Coon says

Posted on September 25, 2022 by brucewark

New Brunswick Green leader David Coon says his party has already begun planning for the 2024 provincial election. “One of the things we have to do a better job at communicating across the province is why we are distinct from … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Health care, New Brunswick government, New Brunswick politics | Tagged | 8 Comments

Higgs government lacks will to solve housing crisis, Greens say

Posted on September 18, 2022 by brucewark

Local Green MLA Megan Mitton says she’s afraid the housing crisis in Sackville and across New Brunswick is only going to get worse because the Higgs government lacks the will to fix it. “We see what’s happened on King Street … Continue reading →

Posted in New Brunswick government, New Brunswick politics, Town of Sackville | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Sackville residents protest against forced amalgamation: ‘This is not democratic, this is authoritarian’

Posted on March 2, 2022 by brucewark

About 14 Sackville residents showed up today for a second rally at town hall to protest against the forced amalgamation of the town with Dorchester and three local service districts. “I’m participating in the rally because I believe in democracy,” … Continue reading →

Posted in NB Municipal Reform, New Brunswick government, Town of Sackville | Tagged | 7 Comments

Looks like Sackville residents will have little say over their new local government

Posted on February 3, 2022 by brucewark

Residents of Sackville, Dorchester and their surrounding communities will have little or no say in the composition of their new municipal council if the province sticks to its timeline for local government reform. Plans call for initial decisions on the … Continue reading →

Posted in New Brunswick government, Town of Sackville | Tagged | 5 Comments

Expert says New Brunswick is following its tradition of ‘heavy-handed’ municipal reform

Posted on December 20, 2021 by brucewark

A professor of  local government at Dalhousie University says New Brunswick’s latest municipal reforms are in keeping with past ones including the sweeping changes imposed in 1967 as part of the Equal Opportunity program. “There tends to be a top-down, … Continue reading →

Posted in New Brunswick government, Town of Sackville | Tagged | 4 Comments

Higgs government gives another big push to municipal reform bill

Posted on December 10, 2021 by brucewark

The comprehensive bill that would drastically restructure local government in New Brunswick could become law as early as next week. The provincial legislature voted 26 to 18 today to limit the remaining time to consider Bill 82 making it all … Continue reading →

Posted in New Brunswick government, Town of Sackville | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Horizon closing beds at Sackville Memorial Hospital

Posted on December 4, 2021 by brucewark

The Horizon Health Network has notified community leaders that it is temporarily closing all of its short-term beds at the Sackville Memorial Hospital. In an e-mail sent yesterday, Horizon said that patients who require acute-care beds will be transferred to … Continue reading →

Posted in Health care, New Brunswick government, Town of Sackville | Tagged | 16 Comments

NB government moves to limit debate on municipal reform bill

Posted on December 3, 2021 by brucewark

In a move that some opposition MLAs called a “gag order,” the Higgs government is seeking to restrict the time for debate so that it can pass its municipal reform bill by Christmas. Bill Hogan, chair of the PC caucus, … Continue reading →

Posted in New Brunswick government, Town of Sackville | Tagged , | 1 Comment