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Lisa LaFlamme is not done telling stories that matter most to her — even if she's not at CTV

March 16, 2023, 10:12 am
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Lisa LaFlamme is not done telling stories that matter most to her — even if she's not at CTV

Former anchor looks back, and toward new challenges, after sudden ouster

 
Joseph Pugh· CBC News ·

Lisa LaFlamme remains determined to report what matters to her

Duration 12:10
Seven months after being let go as the anchor of CTV National News, Lisa LaFlamme talks to CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault about her highly publicized exit and why she’s optimistic about her next chapter.
 
 Seven months after being let go as the anchor of CTV National News, after decades with the network, Lisa LaFlamme is keeping things in perspective.

"I had 35 memorable years," at CTV, she told CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault on Wednesday. "And I loved it. Loved it all. And there are new things to love now. So I'll be fine. I am fine." 

LaFlamme sat down with The National and spoke more about her split with CTV, her future, and serving as a voice on women's issues in Canada and globally.

Last August, LaFlamme announced on Twitter that CTV's parent company, Bell Media, had made a "business decision" to end her contract. She said she was "blindsided" by the move. 

Soon, a narrative emerged speculating that her newly grey hair might have played a role in the decision. LaFlamme had stopped dyeing her hair during the pandemic, which The Globe and Mail reported was questioned by a CTV executive.

This led to allegations of sexism and ageism against Bell Media, which the company strongly denied. Brands including Wendy's and Dove even created social media campaigns about grey hair in solidarity.

WATCH | 'You adapt,' LaFlamme says of CTV split: 

'You adapt to whatever it is,' Lisa LaFlamme says of CTV ouster

Duration 1:20
CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault asks former CTV National News anchor Lisa LaFlamme about learning she was being let go from the network.

Bell Media later said it regretted how LaFlamme's departure was handled and, amid the furor, ordered a third-party workplace review of the newsroom. The head of CTV's news division was eventually replaced. 

Mirko Bibic, the president and CEO of BCE, Bell Media's parent, denied soon after in a LinkedIn post that LaFlamme's "age, gender or grey hair played into the decision." 

Asked whether she was terminated for letting her hair go grey, LaFlamme referred to her original video.

"It was a business decision and that's what I know," she said. 

"Legally there's only so much I can say."

LaFlamme added she's grateful for the amount of support she received.

"Journalists, especially women, become pincushions for the haters, if you will. And so maybe we train ourselves to hear the negative. Maybe we absorb the negative more than we should," she said. 

She says losing her job pales in comparison to some of the hardships she witnessed while on the job. "I think about — the soldiers who we saw lose their legs in Afghanistan, or babies born in tarpaulins after the earthquake in Haiti, all of these things, those are sudden changes they don't come back from," she said. 

Earlier this year LaFlamme was nominated for best national news anchor at the Canadian Screen Awards. She says she submitted her work independently after finding out her former employer wasn't putting it forward. The Toronto Star was first to report this development in February.

WATCH | LaFlamme on submitting her work: 

Lisa LaFlamme on submitting her work for award consideration after CTV didn't

Duration 1:52
'You can take someone's job, but you can't actually erase their history and their body of work,' LaFlamme told CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault.

"When I learned that my work was not going to be submitted, I thought, no, it doesn't work that way," she said.

"You can take someone's job, but you can't actually erase their history and their body of work.

"In this case, these are the most important stories we covered in a year: the war in Ukraine, the Pope's visit to this country."

LaFlamme says the discussion resulting from her split with CTV put her front and centre for conversations about issues that she's always been deeply invested in.

"Long before my contract was terminated, women's rights, women's issues, from young women, to old women, to BIPOC women, has been something I have focused on. It's never not been in my mind," she said.

"People now want to hear from me. And I'm happy to talk. I'd say the same things I said 10 years ago, really." 

Moving forward, LaFlamme says she wants to continue to focus on issues that have been important to her, and cites her recent work with Journalists for Human Rights, a Canadian media development organization.

CBC News reached out to CTV News for comment, but did not hear back as of publication time.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
 
636 Comments
 
 
 
Leonard Corcoran
Good lord . . .
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Leonard Corcoran
Methinks the Good Lord, CTV and everybody else knows that they should study my emails to them going back to 2002 N'esy Pas? 
 
 
 
 
 
John Sinclair
I wonder if I got let go because of my grey hair?  

 
David Amos
Reply to John Sinclair
My hair was black when they attacked me 
 
 
 
 
 
Mike Ewasiuk  
Now that I have seen this I see how she has aged. Which is normal and not a critic. It is not like the photos they had before of her protesting her current situation. To bow out with grace is an art. I will be doing that soon myself.  
 
 
Marie Harris
Reply to Mike Ewasiuk  
Why should she bow out of a job that she excelled at? LaFlamme looks just fine. I don’t recall anyone calling for Lloyd Robertson to give up the anchor chair because he was getting long in the tooth.  
 
 
Chris Fournier 
Reply to Marie Harris
Lloyd the Hunk Robertson please!  
 
 
Jim Sambro
Reply to Marie Harris 
Or Sandi Rinaldo who is 73 and still doing her CTV news anchor job.

Do you think that maybe there was a different reason other than her long in the tooth thingy.

 
David Amos
Reply to Mike Ewasiuk  
To bow out with grace is an art that no journalist will ever practice  
 
 
 
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Energy company drops idea of shipping LNG to Europe, cites associated costs

March 17, 2023, 10:38 am
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Energy company drops idea of shipping LNG to Europe, cites associated costs

Spanish energy company Repsol says shipping natural gas to its Saint John terminal would be too costly

 
Darren Major· CBC News ·
Spansih energy company Repsol considered expanding its Saint John LNG import terminal to allow it to ship gas across the Atlantic. (CBC)
 
Spanish energy company Repsol says it won't be expanding its Saint John LNG terminal to export liquefied natural gas to Europe because the associated costs make the project unviable.

Europe faced a serious supply crunch last year as it weaned itself off Russian oil and gas following Moscow's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

As they scrambled to replace Russian gas, Germany and other EU members turned to Canada as a possible solution to their supply woes.

Repsol's current import terminal in Saint John, New Brunswick was considered as an option to export natural gas across the Atlantic.

But as Bloomberg News first reported, the company considers the project too costly. Company spokesperson Michael Blackier told CBC News that Repsol conducted a viability study on the project.

"The overall costs to ship the gas to our terminal are too high," Blackier said in an email to CBC.

U.S. LNG exporters boosted shipments to Europe by more than 137 per cent in the first 11 months of 2022 — an increase that has resulted in tens of billions of dollars in new revenue, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data.

During his visit to Canada last summer, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he was open to the idea of accepting more gas from Canada but added the country lacks infrastructure and a proven business case to boost exports across the Atlantic.

The CBC’s Vassy Kapelos interviews German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in Toronto, on Aug. 23, 2022 during the European leader’s first trip to Canada. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz joined the CBC for an interview in Toronto on August 23, 2022. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Over the past decade, businesses have pitched 13 LNG export terminals for Canada's West Coast and five for the East Coast.

These projects have failed for a variety of reasons.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen poured cold water on the idea of Canada exporting more natural gas to Europe during her recent visit.

Both Scholz and von der Leyen have said they're interested in buying clean hydrogen energy from Canada. 

"We will continue to support our European friends and allies as they accelerate their clean energy transition and eliminate their dependence on Russian energy," a spokesperson for Natural Resource Minister Jonathan Wilkinson's office told CBC in an email.

"In the case of [Saint] John LNG, the project proponent has informed us that their evaluation concludes there is no business case, as the cost of transporting gas across the significant distances [is] too high to support project economics."

The New Brunswick government hoped an expansion of the Saint John terminal could provide a rationale for ending the moratorium on shale gas development in New Brunswick.

Gas from New Brunswick is a "possible solution" for Europe, Premier Blaine Higgs said last spring, adding that it would be less expensive than gas shipped to a Saint John terminal over long distances via pipelines.

CBC reached out to the New Brunswick government for reaction but didn't receive a response by publication time.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Darren Major

CBC Journalist

Darren Major is a senior writer for CBC's Parliamentary Bureau. He can be reached via email darren.major@cbc.ca or by tweeting him @DMajJourno.

With files from Jacques Poitras

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
384 Comments
 
 
David Amos

Surprise Surprise Surprise
 
 
Walter Vrbetic   
Reply to David Amos
Yep, no business case...

Surprised, not...

 
 
 
 
David Amos
Methinks Repsol must recall my actions within the NEB and 3 elections in 2006 N'esy Pas?  
 
 
Samual Champlain 
Reply to David Amos
Methinks they have not given it any thought in over 17 years.


David Amos
Reply to Samual Champlain  
Think again one of the lawyers I dealt with back then was honest with me before he got his latest appointment  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Samual Champlain
BTW Yesterday the EUB sent me their latest decision I can't wait to read Mr Jones spin on it 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chris Halford 
 
 
David Amos

Reply to Chris Halford
I blame Poilievre too 
 
Reply to David Amos
It is Trudeau's fault. He's made it clear energy projects in Canada do not get built under his watch. This sort of project would need design upgrades and better sources. Neither of which is possible with the current government. Trudeau is happy to ship energy in from opec to the east coast. It's clear and pretty well documented. 
 
 
David Amos

Reply to Oscar Street  
I was dealing with the questionable Repsol dudes long before Trudeau was even a MP Trust that that is pretty well documented too 
 
 
Reply to David Amos
I am sure you would. The reality new people new standards etc. One can't compare safety standards 20 years ago to those used today. I get being skeptical. I don't understand flat out saying no without discussing the matters and the risks. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J Dunn 
And yet shipping across the Atlantic is much shorter than across the Pacific? Hmmm. 
Reply to J Dunn 
Read the article! The issue is the cost of getting the gas to the shipping point, not the cost of carriage. 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Chris Halford 
Trust that I read it  
 
 
Oscar Street
Reply to Chris Halford   
The reasons you aren't reading because it's putting pressure on the government. We should be building access and securing sources . A company can't just shred current contracts to fill a new need. It needs capacity and source material. That is the part that's not viable. I know it takes a little understanding but that's how this works.






Vernon Shein 
""The overall costs to ship the gas to our terminal are too high," Blackier said in an email to CBC.".

And no explanation for why costs to ship gas to their terminal are too high.

This is disgraceful journalism and reeks of political bias.


Reply to Vernon Shein  
"Reeks of political bias"?! A commercial business says that something's too expensive - how is that political? 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Chris Halford   
Everything is political and its always about the money Remember the Emera Pipeline? 
 
 
Vernon Shein 
Reply to Chris Halford  
It is political bias by the reporting CBC, not the company. Real journalists would have asked why the costs of getting the gas was too high to be economic and answer would have been the lack of pipeline capacity in Canada. And that lack of pipeline capacity can be blamed directly on the Trudeau Liberal cabinet and their anti fossil fuel agenda.

In not reporting this CBC has shown their bias.

 
 
 
 
 
 
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Cats or dogs: Who's a better bedmate?

March 17, 2023, 1:34 pm
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Cats or dogs: Who's a better bedmate?

There's a clear winner, but science suggests both may be disturbing your sleep

 
CBC Docs ·
Both dogs and cats move throughout the night: they snore, scratch their backs, clean themselves and fidget; all while you’re trying to sleep. This causes “micro-awakenings,” which you won’t remember in the morning, but will leave you less rested than if you’d had a full night’s sleep. (L: Boris Jovanovic, R: ktaylorg / iStock)
 
Do you let your cat or dog sleep in bed with you? 

If the answer is yes, you might be surprised to learn that one is a better bedmate than the other  — and that both may disturb your sleep more than you think!

Many pet owners say that they sleep better with their snuggly fur buddies tucked up beside them, but scientists have found that the opposite may be true. In a small study, Mayo Clinic researchers reported that having a dog in the bedroom helped some participants sleep better, but — and this is a big "but"— those benefits were lost once Fido started sleeping on the bed. 

"Sleep efficiency, which is just how much you sleep while you're in bed, [is] actually lower when a dog is on the bed," says John Peever, a biologist who specializes in sleep, in the documentaryHow the Wild Things Sleep from The Nature of Things.

"If a dog moves, the human moves like, 90 per cent of the time. But weirdly, when the human moves, the dog rarely moves in response to his or her movement." 

Both dogs and cats move throughout the night — they snore, scratch their backs, clean themselves, fidget, roll over, randomly dig at bedding and get up to go to the bathroom — all while you're trying to sleep. This causes "micro-awakenings," which you won't remember in the morning, but will leave you less rested than if you'd had a full night's sleep. 

"Sleeping with your cat's really interesting because they actually disturb your sleep more than if you sleep with your dog," says Peever. 

"They're predominantly active at dawn and … at dusk. And so obviously, at dawn, most people are sound asleep, and their cat is wide awake, jacked, ready to enjoy the world and, you know, jumping on you, playing with you, hounding you for a snack."

So when it comes to which pet will disturb your sleep the least: dogs rule.

Cats disturb human sleep more than dogs | How the Wild Thing Sleep

Duration 1:19
Most people who sleep with their pets say, "I usually sleep great." But that's often not quite true.

Dogs may even beat out other humans. In a study published in the journalAnthrozoös, women reported that dogs that slept on their bed were less disruptive than human partners (cats were said to be just as disruptive). 

Researchers aren't exactly sure why that might be. One theory from study author Christy L. Hoffman is that dogs could be better at accommodating their person's sleep schedule. Human bed partners often go to bed and wake up at different times, another culprit of those micro-awakenings. 

Animal companions have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety in humans (at least when they're not ruining furniture or chewing shoes). So it makes sense to keep them close … just maybe not too close at night. 

Watch How the Wild Things Sleepon The Nature of Things.

 
 
 
75 Comments
 
 
 
David Amos
The photo of the lady and the dog reminds me of my Chocolate Lab and I and I would have it no other way 
 
 
David Amos 

Oh My My Must I ask Why?  
 
 
Danny Chasko 
personally i prefer i a nice tight pus sey cat. 


 
James Risdon 
Hmmm. I'm going to have to go with young, attractive women who have a thing for older bearded men on this one.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to James Risdon 
Methinks you know very well that I resemble that remark N'esy Pas?  
 
 
James Risdon
Reply to David Amos
Once again, I have no idea what it is you are trying to say. 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to James Risdon   
Yea Right
 
 
James Risdon
Reply to David Amos
Yeah, right, what? I have no idea what it is you're talking about. 
 
 
David Amos

Reply to James Risdon  
Hence you flag me?  
 
 
Danny Chasko
Reply to James Risdon 
old mature experienced works quite well..thats what I heard from a friend.  
 
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Key Tory MLAs who flipped Liberal ridings unsure if they'll run again

March 17, 2023, 1:46 pm
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Key Tory MLAs who flipped Liberal ridings unsure if they'll run again

Caucus chair in Moncton riding says he won’t decide until he knows who will lead PC party in 2024 campaign

 
Jacques Poitras· CBC News ·
Moncton South MLA Greg Turner, shown here speaking in Moncton last month, says his decision on whether he will seek office again next year will be based in part on who the leader of the PC party will be in the next election. (Shane Magee/CBC)
 
Two Progressive Conservative MLAs in key swing ridings say they're not sure yet whether they'll reoffer as candidates in next year's provincial election.

PC caucus chair Greg Turner and former attorney-general Andrea Anderson-Mason both say it's too early for them to commit to being on the ballot in October 2024.

Turner, the MLA for Moncton South, said he's "certainly very interested in reoffering at this time," but his decision will be based in part on who the leader of the PCs will be in the next election.

Premier Blaine Higgs said he hasn't decided whether to try for another mandate or retire before the next campaign, triggering a leadership race.

A woman sits at a table in front of a laptop computer in the new Brunswick legislature. Andrea Anderson-Mason, the MLA for Fundy-the Isles-Saint John West, says she hasn't made a decision on if she will run again. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

"I would not want to commit until I know who the leader would be," said Turner, a popular former city councillor who flipped Moncton South from the Liberals in the 2020 election, helping Higgs turn a minority government into a majority.

Anderson-Mason, the Fundy-the Isles-Saint John West MLA Andrea Anderson-Mason, said she hasn't made up her mind either.

"I have not made a decision," she said.

Anderson-Mason defeated longtime Liberal MLA Rick Doucet in the 2018 election, in which the PCs eked out a one-seat edge on the Liberals despite losing the popular vote.

A man shown with another man listening in the background in front of a New Brunswick flag. Cabinet minister Daniel Allain says he plans to file an objection to changes to his riding of Moncton East in a new proposed electoral map. (Shane Magee/CBC)

The two ridings are among those the Liberals would aim to win back if they have any chance of beating the Tories in 2024.

CBC News asked 28 PC MLAs — all but Higgs himself — whether they've decided on running next year. Most did not respond to the email survey.

Cabinet minister Daniel Allain said in his email response that he's "very disappointed" an independent commission has removed two neighbourhoods from his riding of Moncton East in a proposed new electoral map.

He plans to file an objection to the changes but said he'll work to represent current constituents who will find themselves in either Moncton East or Champdoré-Irishtown when the new map is in place.

A man with glasses and grey hair speaking into a microphone Ross Wetmore of Gagetown-Petitcodiac, first elected in 2010, has decided not to run for re-election. (CBC)

"I have affinities, strong relationships and deep family roots in both new ridings," said Allain, who led the government's local government reform over the last three years.

"I hope to make a decision next summer 2024 on my intentions to run the next provincial election scheduled in October 2024."

He would not say definitively whether his decision is between two ridings or between running and not running.

Five PC members said they plan to be on the ballot: cabinet ministers Dorothy Shephard, Gary Crossman and Margaret Johnson, and backbenchers Sherry Wilson and Mary Wilson.

"We are finally making headway on files and navigating the needs of the various communities," said Johnson, the MLA for Carleton-Victoria and minister of agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries.

"With the addition of new sections to the riding, I am excited to welcome additional constituents. We must assure that our highways, roads and infrastructures are top notch and I am ready to do the work to bring those files to the finish line."

A man wearing a suit and tie. There is another man out-of-focus behind him. Transportation Minister Jeff Carr said in a tweet this week that he hasn’t decided whether to run in the riding of Oromocto-Sunbury or in the new Hanwell-New Maryland riding. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

One PC MLA said he definitely would not be running next year: Ross Wetmore of Gagetown-Petitcodiac, first elected in 2010.

He didn't respond to a followup email asking him for an interview.

Mary Wilson, who was shuffled out of cabinet last year and represents Oromocto-Fredericton-Lincoln, said in her email she had "no issues" with a potential complication for her re-election.

Because of the redrawing of the election map, she and Transportation Minister Jeff Carr will be living in the same new riding of Oromocto-Sunbury, which means they might have to face each other in a race for the PC nomination.

Carr said in a tweet this week that he hasn't decided whether to run there or in the new Hanwell-New Maryland riding. Parts of both are in his current constituency. 

"I'm torn, I love both areas, but I live in Geary," he said, which is a community in Oromocto-Sunbury.

Wilson did not respond to an interview request on the potential dilemma.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Jacques Poitras

Provincial Affairs reporter

Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in Ottawa for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on every New Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and Amnesty International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books about New Brunswick politics and history.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

 

37 Comments
 
 
 
David Amos 
Oh My My
 
 
 
David Amos 
"One PC MLA said he definitely would not be running next year: Ross Wetmore of Gagetown-Petitcodiac, first elected in 2010.

He didn't respond to a followup email asking him for an interview."

Too Too Funny

 
 








 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Blaine Higgs has hit an all-time low for voter approval. Here's why he could still win another election

March 17, 2023, 2:13 pm
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Blaine Higgs has hit an all-time low for voter approval. Here's why he could still win another election

Premier’s approval hits a record low in one poll, but another shows his party leading the Liberals

 
Jacques Poitras· CBC News ·
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has seen his personal approval rating sink since hitting a high early in the COVID-19 pandemic. (Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press)

Premier Blaine Higgs may be setting new records for his own unpopularity, but the weakness of his opponents means he's not necessarily heading for an inevitable electoral defeat in 2024.

The premier had a 25 per cent approval rating in an Angus Reid Institute voter survey released this week that measured the standing of all provincial premiers.

Higgs was tied for least popular premier in Canada with Manitoba's Heather Stefanson.

It's also his lowest score in the Angus Reid survey since he took office in November 2018.

But that result comes on the heels of a Narrative Research poll that had Higgs's Progressive Conservatives bouncing back into the lead — albeit a narrow one — in voting intentions over the Liberals.

"I don't think the two numbers are necessarily contradictory," said polling expert Éric Grenier of The Writ newsletter and podcast.

"I think it does show more Blaine Higgs's own personal numbers that aren't that strong, but that the government's numbers might be a little bit better than they were last year." 

In the last Narrative poll last fall — when public anger about a plan to replace French immersion was building — the Liberals led the PCs 39 per cent to 30.

A poll commissioned by the pro-immersion group Canadian Parents for French, using a different polling firm and methodology, was even worse for the Tories, with a 40-22 lead for the Liberals. 

But the government abandoned the plan in February, while Narrative was conducting its latest poll.

The result: the PCs have a narrow lead of 37 to 35.

Margin of error is wide

With a margin of error of plus or minus six percentage points, that's a statistical tie — but still an improvement for the PCs. It's their first lead in a Narrative poll since February 2022.

And while Higgs's own popularity is in the basement with the Angus Reid survey, the Narrative numbers on voting intentions are a closer reflection of the decision New Brunswickers will make in the ballot box.

Even Narrative shows high dissatisfaction with Higgs and more respondents wanting Liberal leader Susan Holt as premier — despite the PC party leading on which party people would cast ballots for.

A woman listens to a reporter's question during an interview in a hotel ballroom. Susan Holt won the leadership of New Brunswick's Liberals last year. (Ed Hunter/CBC)

"In the end people, when they have to make a voting choice, they have to choose between the alternatives," Grenier says, "so it's not just a binary 'do I like this leader or not?'"

Higgs has yet to reveal whether he plans to lead the party into the next election campaign int the fall of 2024.

Holt turned down an interview request, but party executive director Hannah Fulton Johnston said in an emailed statement the two polls are snapshots in time.

"They give us a vague sense of how a segment of the population is feeling, but as we can see between these two polls, they can vary based on the timing, current issues, and other factors," she said.

The poll showing Higgs's low popularity "certainly reflects what we're hearing from people when we're out in the communities," she added.

Green strength seen as a problem for Liberals

One quandary for Liberals is the Green Party, which has been polling consistently from the mid-teens to the low 20s over several quarterly Narrative surveys.

In the latest one, the Greens had the support of 17 per cent of respondents while the NDP had nine.

"That alternative vote to the PCs is not coalescing enough around the Liberals," Grenier said.

"The Greens certainly are one of the factors that are a bit of a problem for the Liberals."

Saint John city councillor Brent Harris is among the progressive voters who gave the Liberals a look over the last year, only to back off and return to the Greens.

A bearded man wearing a T-shirt and ball cap leans on a fence. Brent Harris, who ran for the Greens in 2020, feels the Liberals are too concerned about the status quo. (Brian Chisholm, CBC)

"I'd rather run with my friends that I trust again, for the Greens let's say, than lose with people who are just trying to court the status quo," said Harris, who ran for the Greens in Saint John Harbour in the 2020 provincial election.

The party, including leader David Coon, was open to his policy ideas on addressing housing issues in the city.

But during the Liberal leadership race last year, he was contacted by candidate T.J. Harvey for advice on some of those same issues. 

Harris decided to vote for Harvey in the race and to rank Susan Holt, the eventual winner, second.

He saw it as a compromise but one worth making to advance his ideas.

"There was some cognitive dissonance there, but being on council, one of the lessons you learn is if you want to die on every hill, be prepared to make nothing happen." 

'A symptom of a democratic deficit'

Since then, however, Harris has concluded that the Liberals aren't willing enough to bring new voices with new ideas into the party. 

"How are they trying to grow the participation? Because that shrinking participation is a symptom of a democratic deficit." 

A man wearing a suit and tie stands on a leafy street in warm weather. Polling analyst Éric Grenier says Blaine Higgs may have low personal approval ratings, but his party is still in contention for the next general election. (CBC)

He says the "forced conformity and compliance" of the PCs and Liberals is contributing to growing disenchantment with government and feeding the kind of cynicism that leads to protests like the trucker convoy or the insurrection in Washington.

"I will run and lose if I have to, to make that point, to say we need people who are going to be  willing to put their name on something, even if it is a lost cause, to at least give us a sense of what the alternatives are," he said.

Grenier says reluctant left-of-centre voters aren't the only challenge for the Liberals aiming to unseat Higgs.

The party's support is so concentrated in northern and francophone ridings — about a third of the seats in the province — that they would have a hard time winning a majority even with a healthy lead in the popular vote.

That also means even a slim PC lead in the vote would be enough for another Higgs majority.

The PCs had such big winning margins in some southern ridings, especially around Saint John, that even a combined Liberal-Green vote wouldn't be enough to beat them. 

"So for the Liberals, it's not just trying to get other voters to the left of them," Grenier said, "but also getting some voters to the right of them as well." 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Jacques Poitras

Provincial Affairs reporter

Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in Ottawa for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on every New Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and Amnesty International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books about New Brunswick politics and history.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
168 Comments
 
Will somebody say Hey to Higgy for me will ya?  
 
 
 
 
Buford Wilson 
I'm seeing a handsome majority for Blaine at the next election.

Be in this place.

Reply to Buford Wilson  
I must admit that even a busted clock is correct twice a day  
 
 
 
 
 
Dennis Atchison
Thank you Brent Harris. Well said. I offered the same "choice" in 2003, 2006 and for the NDP leadership in 2007 ... with no consequence, no understanding from "voters" they had a choice other than Red or Blue. Voters insisted, "I can't vote for your leader" in 2006 (the infamous Alison Brewer era of the NDP), and my attempts to explain their vote was for me (or the other two candidates) in our riding ... not Ms. Brewer. They simply would not listen and learn (the facts). But Mr. Harris makes the biggest point of all in his comments when he identifies the vast majority who Do Not Vote. Media continually leave this huge fact out of their reporting, insisting instead on reporting only those who voted. Until the 40 plus per cent who remain silent decide to get into the game ... nothing will change. And, as Mr. Harris points out, it is in the best interest of both Red and Blue to make sure that 40 plus per cent stay out of it. Sad days ... some twenty years later ... that nothing has evolved. 
Reply to Dennis Atchison
Cry me a river 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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N.B. Power turned down for 8.9% rate increase

March 18, 2023, 11:11 am
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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-eub-nb-power-rate-hike-1.6782357
 

N.B. Power turned down for 8.9% rate increase

Utility has been ordered to recalculate its numbers

 
Robert Jones· CBC News ·
Acting public intervener Rick Williams said the 'magnitude' of changes the EUB has ordered look to be significant. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
 
The New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board has declined to award N.B. Power the 8.9 per cent rate increase it was asking to impose April 1, and may cut it by as much as half, according to one estimate of a partial decision in the matter released by the board this week.

"It's likely to be half of that," said Rick Williams, referring to where the 8.9 per cent rate increase proposal will end up. 

Williams was acting public intervener during N.B. Power's rate hearing and said the "magnitude" of changes the EUB has ordered in the rate application looks to be significant.

"Definitely," he said. 

A women in a suit looks off to the side. N.B. Power's acting president Lori Clark laid out the utility's case for an 8.9 per cent rate increase during the first day of hearings in February.. (Jonathan Collicott/CBC)

On Thursday, the EUB delivered what it called a "partial decision" on N.B. Power's rates for the coming year and made it clear it found the utility's request for an 8.9 per cent increase to be deficient.

"The Board is not satisfied that the rates, as applied for, are just and reasonable," the regulatory body wrote. 

Citing N.B. Power's use of stale cost data from early June 2022 in its original application for April 2023 rates, the EUB said it wanted to base its decision on more recent information the utility was forced to disclose during two weeks of hearings that took place last month.

Those estimates showed major improvements in some of N.B. Power's financial prospects for the coming year, but how much money that would strip out of its need for a rate increase is not entirely clear.

N.B. Power has been instructed to recalculate a significant proportion of its fuel and purchased power cost estimates and resubmit those along with a recalculated rate increase.

"N.B. Power is ordered to refile its 2023/2024 test-year budget with the above-noted adjustments identified, cost of service study with adjustments, proof of revenue, and the resulting rates," said the board. 

N.B. Power had no immediate comment on the decision, or what its final calculation of the rate increase will be, given the changes ordered by the EUB.

"We plan to take time to review the ruling in full before responding to questions," wrote N.B. Power communications officer Dominique Couture.

N.B. Power's original application to the EUB was for a rate increase large enough to bring in $135.8 million in new revenue. 

It was based on what Lori Clark, the utility's acting president, told the board was needed to cover inflation, rising interest rates and operational troubles battering the organization.

"In a single year, the cost of fuel and purchased power necessary to supply customers in New Brunswick has increased by $102.8 million," Clark told the hearing.

"This has occurred largely due to market price  increases for natural gas, heavy fuel oil and electricity."

But the utility struggled to defend the trustworthiness of those numbers as the hearing progressed, given they had been put together months earlier, in early June 2022.

Original projections stale

In a pivotal moment days into testimony of N.B. Power witnesses, a lawyer for J.D. Irving Ltd., Conor O'Neil, won an admission that at least two internal updates of those projections had been put together by the utility since last June but were not shared with the hearing. 

The board ordered them to be produced and the new numbers confirmed suspicions that N.B. Power's original projections were stale, and the company's revenues and expenses for next year were up to $106.4 million better than its budget showed. 

But the update also revealed N.B. Power's current year has involved significant losses that have ballooned its net debt by $380 million and would add up to $30 million next year in unbudgeted interest costs. 

In its partial decision, the EUB said it would add those interest costs to what the utility needs for next year, but will also subtract out at least some of the exaggerated amounts from its original budget caused by stale estimates.   

Williams said it is not possible to pinpoint where that back and forth will leave the rate increase, but he believes the final figure will be known within the week, and it will not be close to 8.9 per cent.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Robert Jones

Reporter

Robert Jones has been a reporter and producer with CBC New Brunswick since 1990. His investigative reports on petroleum pricing in New Brunswick won several regional and national awards and led to the adoption of price regulation in 2006.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
43 Comments
 
 
 
David Amos 
The Fat Lady ain't sung yet  
 
 
David Amos  

Reply to David Amos 
Methinks somebody should ask the acting public intervener why he would not talk to or even answer another intervener's formal IR N'esy Pas? 




 
David Amos  
YO Mr Jones you have mail  
 
 
David Amos
Methinks Mr Jones should report what I said to the EUB et al last week before this strange decision was made N'esy Pas?



 
 
Alex Butt  
Just a circus show to make people believe that the province is keeping nb power's greed in check! 


David Amos 
Reply to Alex Butt 
Of course 
 
 
David Amos  

Reply to David Amos
Go Figure
Partial Decision
[1] On October 5, 2022, the New Brunswick Power Corporation (NB Power) filed an application with the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board (Board) seeking approval as follows:
(a) An 8.9 percent increase in rates across all customer classes based on a revenue requirement of $2,314.6 million;
(b) The proposed schedule of rates, effective April 1, 2023;
(c) An increase of $1.00 per month in the rental fee charged for hot water heaters;
(d) An increase of $11.11 in the service call fee charged to customers for certain service calls; and
(e) Changes to NB Power's Financial Risk Management Policies and Financial Risk Management Policies to which New Brunswick Energy Marketing Corporation is subject.

[2] The Board is not satisfied that the rates, as applied for, are just and reasonable and will fix just and reasonable rates in accordance with the following adjustments.

[3] The Board relies on 2022/23 Q3R1 Forecast – January 2023 to March 2024 – PROMOD Output dated January 2023 (PROMOD Update) results based on commodity prices from market close of January 3, 2023, included as part of Exhibit NBP 26.01.

[4] To calculate the revenue requirement and the resulting rates for the test year, NB Power is directed to update its fuel and purchase power expense, load forecast, and revenue forecast in accordance with the PROMOD Update.

 
David Amos  
Reply to David Amos 
[5] In recognition of the effect on the total margin resulting from the calendar year contract period of the ISO New England standard offer service contracts, the Board approves a downward adjustment of $31.5 million to the Export Gross Margin for the test year, resulting from the PROMOD Update, as described in Exhibit NBP 26.01.

[6] Concerning the remaining components of the revenue requirement, the Board makes the following adjustments:

(a) Depreciation and Amortization:

1. The Board reduces the proposed amount of $368.7 million by $3.3 million relating to the Bayside Gas Turbine Project.

(b) Finance costs and other income:

1. In recognition of the impact of higher forecast interest rates and level of debt, the Board applies a manual upward adjustment of $30 million.

[7] There are no other adjustments to revenue requirement components, reflected in Exhibit NBP 20.08.


David Amos  

Reply to David Amos 
[8] The Board approves NB Power’s proposal for a uniform rate increase across all customer classes.

[9] In addition, the Board approves an increase of $1.00 per month in the rental fee charged for hot water heaters and an increase of $11.11 in the service call fee charged to customers for certain service calls.

[10] The proposed changes to NB Power's Financial Risk Management Policies and Financial Risk Management Policies to which New Brunswick Energy Marketing Corporation is subject are approved.

[11] This partial decision is being rendered to enable NB Power to put its 2023/2024 rates into effect promptly. The Board will issue its final decision, with reasons, later. If there are any differences between the final and partial decisions, the final decision will govern.

[12] NB Power is ordered to refile its 2023/2024 test year budget with the above-noted adjustments identified, cost of service study with adjustments, proof of revenue, and the resulting rates.

[13] Subject to the approval of the above documents, the Board will issue an order approving all rates across all customer classes, and the remaining rate schedules, and will set a time at which those rates will take effect. 

 

 

 

Benoit Boudreau 
"This has occurred largely due to market price increases for natural gas, heavy fuel oil and electricity."

I'd be very curious to see how much of that natural gas and heavy fuel oil is bought from Irving companies... Aren't you? As usual, Irving wants to be able to charge more, citing market volability, yet pay less for energy costs. Hmm...

 
David Amos  
Reply to Benoit Boudreau  
Methinks the Irvings doth protest too much within the EUB N'esy Pas?  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Blair Churchill  
Wow, now deduct the bonuses! 


louella woods 
Reply to Blair Churchill  
You got that right. I always thought bonuses were given for work that had resulted in increased profits for a company. NB Power executives get it for just showing up
 
 
Ben Haroldson
Reply to Blair Churchill 
There ain't no shamin that crew.  
 
 
David Amos  
Reply to Ben Haroldson
C'est Vrai  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vladamir Smirnoff  
Maybe time to slash some jobs in the ivory tower?  
 
 
David Amos  

Reply to Vladamir Smirnoff  
Surely you jest 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Don Corey   
The ability (or lack thereof) of any company, organization, government dept, etc. to produce budget forecasts based on the best available information at the time is an excellent indicator of management competence.

One would expect NB Power to have thoroughly done their homework prior to these hearings, but such was obviously not the case.

They have once again put their incompetence on display.

Great work though by the EUB group!

 
Michael Cain 
Reply to Don Corey
Higgs' government keeps surprising itself with surpluses. That would be considered the good part of incompetent forecasting, I suppose. 
 
 
Don Corey 
Reply to Michael Cain
I totally agree with your comment. 
 
 
Samual Johnston 
Reply to Michael Cain
NB Power is NB Power regardless of what party is in power. 
 
 
Michael Cain 
Reply to Samual Johnston 
Brilliant. 
 
 
Rosco holt
Reply to Michael Cain
If you look at everything the government manage, they are all mismanage by incompetent (very)well paid people.
 
 
Samual Johnston 
Reply to Michael Cain
So we agree the political party in power has meant nothing in the inanity of NB Power. Nice to be on the same page. 
 
 
David Amos  

Reply to Samual Johnston
Methinks you all knowing dudes wish to overlook the fact that I was an Intervener in this matter N'esy Pas? 
 
 
Michael Cain 
Reply to Samual Johnston
NB Power is a crown corporation; it is as inane as the party in power.
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Michael Cain
and your favourite party as well




 
JOhn D Bond 
Perhaps they can start sharpening the pencil with a 20% pay cut for management and eliminate all management performance bonuses. Missing targets, being over budget to name a few sins should be all the reason needed. Lets not reward failure by management.

But we need to be careful with rate hikes and make sure we are not saving a few pennies today that will cost us dollars tomorrow,

 
Rosco holt
Reply to JOhn D Bond  
What the utility needs is getting rid of political appointment, stop giving lucrative subsidize to 6 mills, remove restrictions placed by government and stop political all interference. 
 
 
Michael Cain 
Reply to Rosco holt  
As long as they have to report to the legislator, as a crown corporation, pretty hard to keep government out of the business.  
 
 
David Amos  
Reply to Rosco holt
Trust that I have been preaching about such things for years  
 
 
 
 
 
Chuck Michaels 
Finally a glimmer of common sense...  
 
 
David Amos  

Reply to Chuck Michaels 
Its a mirage  
 
 
 
 
 
Lou Bell
Appears " guestimate's " aren't acceptable . Perhaps actually sitting down and actually reviewing real costs and real revenues may be needed .  
 
 
David Amos  

Reply to Lou Bell
Dream on
 
 
 
 
 
David Amos 
Welcome to the circus  
 
 
 
 
Billy Popamahovilich 
EUB has some clout evidently. Why are we paying 1.62/liter and barrel prices are $72.

What a joke.

 
David Amos  

Reply to Billy Popamahovilich
Ask their Irving buddies  
 
 
 
 
Winston Gray 
Heads should be rolling in management over their inability to do their jobs effectively.  
 
 
Rosco holt 

Reply toWinston Gray 
"A big part of the problems is government takes decisions that overrides management decisions. For ex..."


David Amos  

Reply to Rosco holt 
They are all crooks 


Elizabeth Thimlar 
Reply toWinston Gray 
Certainly the financial department needs to change……  

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

  

 

 

Automatic reply: Methinks Mr Jones should report what I said to the EUB et al last week before this strange decision was made N'esy Pas?

 
 

John Furey

<JohnFurey@fureylegal.com>		Sat, Mar 18, 2023 at 3:13 PM
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

I am away from my office until Monday, March 20, 2023, and will have limited access to email during that time. If your matter requires immediate attention, please contact me directly at 506-444-1328.


Veronique Otis

<Veronique.Otis@nbeub.ca>		Sat, Mar 18, 2023 at 3:13 PM
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Hello,

I will be out of the office until March 28.

If you have any questions related to RFQ No. 2023-1 or RFQ No. 2023-2, please email michael.dickie@nbeub.ca.  

If you require any other assistance, please dial 506-658-2504 or email general@nbeub.ca.

Thank you.

***

Bonjour,

Je serai à l'extérieure du bureau jusqu'au 28 mars.

Si vous avez des questions concernant la DDP no. 2023-1 ou la DDP no. 2023-2, veuillez envoyer un courriel à michael.dickie@nbeub.ca.

Si vous avez besoin d'assistance, veuillez composer le 506-658-2504 ou envoyer un courriel à general@cespnb.ca.

Merci.



Austin, Hon. Kris (JPS/JSP)

<Kris.Austin@gnb.ca>		Sat, Mar 18, 2023 at 3:13 PM
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Thank you for taking the time to write, your email is important to me.

Your email has been received and will be reviewed in a timely manner.

If your inquiry more appropriately falls within the mandate of another area of government, staff will refer your email for review and consideration.

If this is a request for the electoral district of Fredericton-Grand Lake, please contact Nancy Boucher
at (506) 440-9542 or by email at nancy.boucher@gnb.ca.

***************************************************************************************

Merci d'avoir pris le temps d'écrire, votre courriel a pour moi une grande importance.

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Si votre demande relève plutôt du mandat d'un autre secteur du gouvernement, le personnel acheminera votre courriel pour examen et considération.

S’il s’agit d’une demande pour la circonscription électorale de Fredericton-Grand Lake, veuillez communiquer avec Janet Johnston au (506) 440-9542 ou par courriel au Janet.Johnston@gnb.ca.




Mitton, Megan (LEG)

<Megan.Mitton@gnb.ca>		Sat, Mar 18, 2023 at 3:13 PM
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

(le français suit)
This brief message is to let you know that your email has been received. Thank you for reaching out and sharing your comments and concerns with me.
Please feel free to email my Constituency Coordinator, Laura King, at: laura.king@gnb.ca. If this is an urgent matter, please call my Constituency office: (506) 378-1565 or the Fredericton office: (506) 457-6842.
For media inquiries please contact (506) 429-2285.

- - -
Ce bref message a pour but de vous informer que votre courriel a bien été reçu. Je vous remercie de m'avoir contacté et de m'avoir fait part de vos commentaires et de vos préoccupations.
N'hésitez pas à envoyer un courriel à ma coordinatrice de circonscription, Laura King, à l'adresse suivante : laura.king@gnb.ca. S'il s'agit d'une question urgente, veuillez appeler mon bureau de circonscription : (506) 378-1565 ou le bureau de Fredericton : (506) 457-6842.
Pour les demandes des médias, veuillez communiquer avec le (506) 429-2285.

Megan Mitton(elle / she, her)
Députée de Memramcook-Tantramar | Responsable en matière de la santé, le logement, le changement climatique, et les droits humains.

MLA for Memramcook-Tantramar | Advocate and Critic on files including Health, Housing, Climate Change, and Human Rights.


Le Nouveau-Brunswick est situé sur les territoires traditionnels, non cédés des Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqiyik & Peskotomuhkati. | New Brunswick is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqiyik & Peskotomuhkati.

 

Methinks Mr Jones should report what I said to the EUB et al last week before this strange decision was made N'esy Pas?

  

David Amos

<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>		Sat, Mar 18, 2023 at 3:13 PM
To: Mike.Holland@gnb.ca, NBPRegulatory@nbpower.com, "ceo@fermenbfarm.ca"<ceo@fermenbfarm.ca>, "louis-philippe.gauthier@cfib.ca"<louis-philippe.gauthier@cfib.ca>, "frederic.gionet@cfib.ca"<frederic.gionet@cfib.ca>, "Ron.marcolin@cme-mec.ca"<Ron.marcolin@cme-mec.ca>, "david.sollows@gnb.ca"<david.sollows@gnb.ca>, "hanrahan.dion@jdirving.com"<hanrahan.dion@jdirving.com>, "nrubin@stewartmckelvey.com"<nrubin@stewartmckelvey.com>, "coneil@stewartmckelvey.com"<coneil@stewartmckelvey.com>, "lmclements@stewartmckelvey.com"<lmclements@stewartmckelvey.com>, "pbowman@bowmaneconomics.ca"<pbowman@bowmaneconomics.ca>, "brudderham@stewartmckelvey.com"<brudderham@stewartmckelvey.com>, "JohnFurey@fureylegal.com"<JohnFurey@fureylegal.com>, "Petrie, Jamie"<JPetrie@nbpower.com>, "Gordon, Laura"<LGordon@nbpower.com>, "Waycott, Stephen"<SWaycott@nbpower.com>, "Porter, George"<George.Porter@nbpower.com>, "Crawford, Brad"<BCrawford@nbpower.com>, Veronique Otis <Veronique.Otis@nbeub.ca>, "Young, Dave"<Dave.Young@nbeub.ca>, "Aherrington@lawsoncreamer.com"<Aherrington@lawsoncreamer.com>, "Mitchell, Kathleen"<Kathleen.Mitchell@nbeub.ca>, NBEUB/CESPNB <General@nbeub.ca>, "Colwell, Susan"<Susan.Colwell@nbeub.ca>, "bhavumaki@synapse-energy.com"<bhavumaki@synapse-energy.com>, "mwhited@synapse-energy.com"<mwhited@synapse-energy.com>, "prhodes@synapse-energy.com"<prhodes@synapse-energy.com>, "alawton@synapse-energy.com"<alawton@synapse-energy.com>, "jwilson@resourceinsight.com"<jwilson@resourceinsight.com>, "pchernick@resourceinsight.com"<pchernick@resourceinsight.com>, Melissa Curran <Melissa.Curran@nbeub.ca>, "richard.williams@gnb.ca"<richard.williams@gnb.ca>, "rdk@indecon.com"<rdk@indecon.com>, "tammy.grieve@mcinnescooper.com"<tammy.grieve@mcinnescooper.com>, "paul.black@twinriverspaper.com"<paul.black@twinriverspaper.com>, "Hoyt, Len"<len.hoyt@mcinnescooper.com>, "tyler.rajeski@twinriverspaper.com"<tyler.rajeski@twinriverspaper.com>, "darcy.ouellette@twinriverspaper.com"<darcy.ouellette@twinriverspaper.com>, "dan.murphy@umnb.ca"<dan.murphy@umnb.ca>, "jeff.garrett@sjenergy.com"<jeff.garrett@sjenergy.com>, "shelley.wood@sjenergy.com"<shelley.wood@sjenergy.com>, "dan.dionne@perth-andover.com"<dan.dionne@perth-andover.com>, "pierreroy@edmundston.ca"<pierreroy@edmundston.ca>, "ryan.mitchell@sjenergy.com"<ryan.mitchell@sjenergy.com>, "sstoll@stollprofcorp.com"<sstoll@stollprofcorp.com>, "pzarnett@bdrenergy.com"<pzarnett@bdrenergy.com>, "ablair@elenchus.ca"<ablair@elenchus.ca>, "brchapman@caenergy.com"<brchapman@caenergy.com>, "McKay, Pam"<PMcKay@nbpower.com>, Dan Dionne <dan@vilsv.ca>, "Roy, Pierre"<pierre.roy@edmundston.ca>, "Gibson, Kevin"<KevGibson@nbpower.com>, HO CR - HO 4 Board Room <hocrho4boardroom@nbpower.com>, "Murray, Carol"<CaMurray@nbpower.com>, "Goddard, Rosmary"<RGoddard@nbpower.com>, "Stevenson, Veronique Janie"<VStevenson@nbpower.com>, "Meng, Ryan John"<RMeng@nbpower.com>, "Murray, Leanne"<LMurray@nbpower.com>
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, "blaine.higgs"<blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, "Rene.Legacy"<Rene.Legacy@gnb.ca>, David.Coon@gnb.ca, "Mitton, Megan (LEG)"<megan.mitton@gnb.ca>, "Arseneau, Kevin (LEG)"<kevin.a.arseneau@gnb.ca>, "Dominic.Cardy"<Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca>, "John.Williamson"<John.Williamson@parl.gc.ca>, "Mike.Comeau"<Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca>, "kris.austin"<kris.austin@gnb.ca>, "Robert. Jones"<Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>, "Ross.Wetmore"<Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca>, "robert.gauvin"<robert.gauvin@gnb.ca>, "robert.mckee"<robert.mckee@gnb.ca>, "Clark, Lori"<lclark@nbpower.com>, cvfirlotte@gmail.com


https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2023/03/nb-power-turned-down-for-89-rate.html


Saturday, 18 March 2023

N.B. Power turned down for 8.9% rate increase

  
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-eub-nb-power-rate-hike-1.6782357
 

N.B. Power turned down for 8.9% rate increase

Utility has been ordered to recalculate its numbers

 
Robert Jones· CBC News ·
Acting public intervener Rick Williams said the 'magnitude' of changes the EUB has ordered look to be significant. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
 
The New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board has declined to award N.B. Power the 8.9 per cent rate increase it was asking to impose April 1, and may cut it by as much as half, according to one estimate of a partial decision in the matter released by the board this week.

"It's likely to be half of that," said Rick Williams, referring to where the 8.9 per cent rate increase proposal will end up. 

Williams was acting public intervener during N.B. Power's rate hearing and said the "magnitude" of changes the EUB has ordered in the rate application looks to be significant.

"Definitely," he said. 

A women in a suit looks off to the side. N.B. Power's acting president Lori Clark laid out the utility's case for an 8.9 per cent rate increase during the first day of hearings in February.. (Jonathan Collicott/CBC)

On Thursday, the EUB delivered what it called a "partial decision" on N.B. Power's rates for the coming year and made it clear it found the utility's request for an 8.9 per cent increase to be deficient.

"The Board is not satisfied that the rates, as applied for, are just and reasonable," the regulatory body wrote. 

Citing N.B. Power's use of stale cost data from early June 2022 in its original application for April 2023 rates, the EUB said it wanted to base its decision on more recent information the utility was forced to disclose during two weeks of hearings that took place last month.

Those estimates showed major improvements in some of N.B. Power's financial prospects for the coming year, but how much money that would strip out of its need for a rate increase is not entirely clear.

N.B. Power has been instructed to recalculate a significant proportion of its fuel and purchased power cost estimates and resubmit those along with a recalculated rate increase.

"N.B. Power is ordered to refile its 2023/2024 test-year budget with the above-noted adjustments identified, cost of service study with adjustments, proof of revenue, and the resulting rates," said the board. 

N.B. Power had no immediate comment on the decision, or what its final calculation of the rate increase will be, given the changes ordered by the EUB.

"We plan to take time to review the ruling in full before responding to questions," wrote N.B. Power communications officer Dominique Couture.

N.B. Power's original application to the EUB was for a rate increase large enough to bring in $135.8 million in new revenue. 

It was based on what Lori Clark, the utility's acting president, told the board was needed to cover inflation, rising interest rates and operational troubles battering the organization.

"In a single year, the cost of fuel and purchased power necessary to supply customers in New Brunswick has increased by $102.8 million," Clark told the hearing.

"This has occurred largely due to market price  increases for natural gas, heavy fuel oil and electricity."

But the utility struggled to defend the trustworthiness of those numbers as the hearing progressed, given they had been put together months earlier, in early June 2022.

Original projections stale

In a pivotal moment days into testimony of N.B. Power witnesses, a lawyer for J.D. Irving Ltd., Conor O'Neil, won an admission that at least two internal updates of those projections had been put together by the utility since last June but were not shared with the hearing. 

The board ordered them to be produced and the new numbers confirmed suspicions that N.B. Power's original projections were stale, and the company's revenues and expenses for next year were up to $106.4 million better than its budget showed. 

But the update also revealed N.B. Power's current year has involved significant losses that have ballooned its net debt by $380 million and would add up to $30 million next year in unbudgeted interest costs. 

In its partial decision, the EUB said it would add those interest costs to what the utility needs for next year, but will also subtract out at least some of the exaggerated amounts from its original budget caused by stale estimates.   

Williams said it is not possible to pinpoint where that back and forth will leave the rate increase, but he believes the final figure will be known within the week, and it will not be close to 8.9 per cent.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Robert Jones

Reporter

Robert Jones has been a reporter and producer with CBC New Brunswick since 1990. His investigative reports on petroleum pricing in New Brunswick won several regional and national awards and led to the adoption of price regulation in 2006.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
41 Comments
 
 
 
David Amos
Methinks Mr Jones should report what I said to the EUB et al last week before this strange decision was made N'esy Pas? 
 
 
 

YO Mikey Holland I just called Say Hey Mr Furey and Mr Petrie for me will ya?

  

David Amos

<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>		Tue, Mar 14, 2023 at 5:07 PM
To: Mike.Holland@gnb.ca, NBPRegulatory@nbpower.com, "ceo@fermenbfarm.ca"<ceo@fermenbfarm.ca>, "louis-philippe.gauthier@cfib.ca"<louis-philippe.gauthier@cfib.ca>, "frederic.gionet@cfib.ca"<frederic.gionet@cfib.ca>, "Ron.marcolin@cme-mec.ca"<Ron.marcolin@cme-mec.ca>, "david.sollows@gnb.ca"<david.sollows@gnb.ca>, "hanrahan.dion@jdirving.com"<hanrahan.dion@jdirving.com>, "nrubin@stewartmckelvey.com"<nrubin@stewartmckelvey.com>, "coneil@stewartmckelvey.com"<coneil@stewartmckelvey.com>, "lmclements@stewartmckelvey.com"<lmclements@stewartmckelvey.com>, "pbowman@bowmaneconomics.ca"<pbowman@bowmaneconomics.ca>, "brudderham@stewartmckelvey.com"<brudderham@stewartmckelvey.com>, "JohnFurey@fureylegal.com"<JohnFurey@fureylegal.com>, "Petrie, Jamie"<JPetrie@nbpower.com>, "Gordon, Laura"<LGordon@nbpower.com>, "Waycott, Stephen"<SWaycott@nbpower.com>, "Porter, George"<George.Porter@nbpower.com>, "Crawford, Brad"<BCrawford@nbpower.com>, Veronique Otis <Veronique.Otis@nbeub.ca>, "Young, Dave"<Dave.Young@nbeub.ca>, "Aherrington@lawsoncreamer.com"<Aherrington@lawsoncreamer.com>, "Mitchell, Kathleen"<Kathleen.Mitchell@nbeub.ca>, NBEUB/CESPNB <General@nbeub.ca>, "Colwell, Susan"<Susan.Colwell@nbeub.ca>, "bhavumaki@synapse-energy.com"<bhavumaki@synapse-energy.com>, "mwhited@synapse-energy.com"<mwhited@synapse-energy.com>, "prhodes@synapse-energy.com"<prhodes@synapse-energy.com>, "alawton@synapse-energy.com"<alawton@synapse-energy.com>, "jwilson@resourceinsight.com"<jwilson@resourceinsight.com>, "pchernick@resourceinsight.com"<pchernick@resourceinsight.com>, Melissa Curran <Melissa.Curran@nbeub.ca>, "richard.williams@gnb.ca"<richard.williams@gnb.ca>, "rdk@indecon.com"<rdk@indecon.com>, "tammy.grieve@mcinnescooper.com"<tammy.grieve@mcinnescooper.com>, "paul.black@twinriverspaper.com"<paul.black@twinriverspaper.com>, "Hoyt, Len"<len.hoyt@mcinnescooper.com>, "tyler.rajeski@twinriverspaper.com"<tyler.rajeski@twinriverspaper.com>, "darcy.ouellette@twinriverspaper.com"<darcy.ouellette@twinriverspaper.com>, "dan.murphy@umnb.ca"<dan.murphy@umnb.ca>, "jeff.garrett@sjenergy.com"<jeff.garrett@sjenergy.com>, "shelley.wood@sjenergy.com"<shelley.wood@sjenergy.com>, "dan.dionne@perth-andover.com"<dan.dionne@perth-andover.com>, "pierreroy@edmundston.ca"<pierreroy@edmundston.ca>, "ryan.mitchell@sjenergy.com"<ryan.mitchell@sjenergy.com>, "sstoll@stollprofcorp.com"<sstoll@stollprofcorp.com>, "pzarnett@bdrenergy.com"<pzarnett@bdrenergy.com>, "ablair@elenchus.ca"<ablair@elenchus.ca>, "brchapman@caenergy.com"<brchapman@caenergy.com>, "McKay, Pam"<PMcKay@nbpower.com>, Dan Dionne <dan@vilsv.ca>, "Roy, Pierre"<pierre.roy@edmundston.ca>, "Gibson, Kevin"<KevGibson@nbpower.com>, HO CR - HO 4 Board Room <hocrho4boardroom@nbpower.com>, "Murray, Carol"<CaMurray@nbpower.com>, "Goddard, Rosmary"<RGoddard@nbpower.com>, "Stevenson, Veronique Janie"<VStevenson@nbpower.com>, "Meng, Ryan John"<RMeng@nbpower.com>, "Murray, Leanne"<LMurray@nbpower.com>
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, "blaine.higgs"<blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, "Rene.Legacy"<Rene.Legacy@gnb.ca>, David.Coon@gnb.ca, "Mitton, Megan (LEG)"<megan.mitton@gnb.ca>, "Arseneau, Kevin (LEG)"<kevin.a.arseneau@gnb.ca>, "Dominic.Cardy"<Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca>, "John.Williamson"<John.Williamson@parl.gc.ca>, "Mike.Comeau"<Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca>, "kris.austin"<kris.austin@gnb.ca>, "Robert. Jones"<Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>, "Ross.Wetmore"<Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca>, "robert.gauvin"<robert.gauvin@gnb.ca>, "robert.mckee"<robert.mckee@gnb.ca>, "Clark, Lori"<lclark@nbpower.com>, cvfirlotte@gmail.com


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2023 14:15:28 -0300
Subject: Re: Detailed Agenda - Technical Conference for Matter 529, NB
Power Rate Design Who Is Mr FUREY to mute me?
To: NB Power Rate Design <NBPowerRateDesign@nbpower.com>
Cc: "ceo@fermenbfarm.ca"<ceo@fermenbfarm.ca>,
"louis-philippe.gauthier@cfib.ca"<louis-philippe.gauthier@cfib.ca>,
"frederic.gionet@cfib.ca"<frederic.gionet@cfib.ca>,
"Ron.marcolin@cme-mec.ca"<Ron.marcolin@cme-mec.ca>,
"david.sollows@gnb.ca"<david.sollows@gnb.ca>,
"hanrahan.dion@jdirving.com"<hanrahan.dion@jdirving.com>,
"nrubin@stewartmckelvey.com"<nrubin@stewartmckelvey.com>,
"coneil@stewartmckelvey.com"<coneil@stewartmckelvey.com>,
"lmclements@stewartmckelvey.com"<lmclements@stewartmckelvey.com>,
"pbowman@bowmaneconomics.ca"<pbowman@bowmaneconomics.ca>,
"brudderham@stewartmckelvey.com"<brudderham@stewartmckelvey.com>,
"JohnFurey@fureylegal.com"<JohnFurey@fureylegal.com>, "Petrie, Jamie"
<JPetrie@nbpower.com>, NBP Regulatory <NBPRegulatory@nbpower.com>,
"Gordon, Laura"<LGordon@nbpower.com>, "Waycott, Stephen"
<SWaycott@nbpower.com>, "Porter, George"<George.Porter@nbpower.com>,
"Crawford, Brad"<BCrawford@nbpower.com>, Veronique Otis
<Veronique.Otis@nbeub.ca>, "Young, Dave"<Dave.Young@nbeub.ca>,
"Aherrington@lawsoncreamer.com"<Aherrington@lawsoncreamer.com>,
"Mitchell, Kathleen"<Kathleen.Mitchell@nbeub.ca>, NBEUB/CESPNB
<General@nbeub.ca>, "Colwell, Susan"<Susan.Colwell@nbeub.ca>,
"bhavumaki@synapse-energy.com"<bhavumaki@synapse-energy.com>,
"mwhited@synapse-energy.com"<mwhited@synapse-energy.com>,
"prhodes@synapse-energy.com"<prhodes@synapse-energy.com>,
"alawton@synapse-energy.com"<alawton@synapse-energy.com>,
"jwilson@resourceinsight.com"<jwilson@resourceinsight.com>,
"pchernick@resourceinsight.com"<pchernick@resourceinsight.com>,
Melissa Curran <Melissa.Curran@nbeub.ca>, "richard.williams@gnb.ca"
<richard.williams@gnb.ca>, "rdk@indecon.com"<rdk@indecon.com>,
"tammy.grieve@mcinnescooper.com"<tammy.grieve@mcinnescooper.com>,
"paul.black@twinriverspaper.com"<paul.black@twinriverspaper.com>,
"Hoyt, Len"<len.hoyt@mcinnescooper.com>,
"tyler.rajeski@twinriverspaper.com"
<tyler.rajeski@twinriverspaper.com>,
"darcy.ouellette@twinriverspaper.com"
<darcy.ouellette@twinriverspaper.com>, "dan.murphy@umnb.ca"
<dan.murphy@umnb.ca>, "jeff.garrett@sjenergy.com"
<jeff.garrett@sjenergy.com>, "shelley.wood@sjenergy.com"
<shelley.wood@sjenergy.com>, "dan.dionne@perth-andover.com"
<dan.dionne@perth-andover.com>, "pierreroy@edmundston.ca"
<pierreroy@edmundston.ca>, "ryan.mitchell@sjenergy.com"
<ryan.mitchell@sjenergy.com>, "sstoll@stollprofcorp.com"
<sstoll@stollprofcorp.com>, "pzarnett@bdrenergy.com"
<pzarnett@bdrenergy.com>, "ablair@elenchus.ca"<ablair@elenchus.ca>,
"brchapman@caenergy.com"<brchapman@caenergy.com>, "McKay, Pam"
<PMcKay@nbpower.com>, Dan Dionne <dan@vilsv.ca>, "Roy, Pierre"
<pierre.roy@edmundston.ca>, "Gibson, Kevin"<KevGibson@nbpower.com>,
HO CR - HO 4 Board Room <hocrho4boardroom@nbpower.com>, "Murray,
Carol"<CaMurray@nbpower.com>, "Goddard, Rosmary"
<RGoddard@nbpower.com>, "Stevenson, Veronique Janie"
<VStevenson@nbpower.com>, "Meng, Ryan John"<RMeng@nbpower.com>,
"Murray, Leanne"<LMurray@nbpower.com>

On 3/13/23, David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> wrote:
> Microsoft Teams meeting
>
> Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
>
> Click here to join the meeting
>
> Meeting ID: 275 828 347 546
> Passcode: m4GZeq
>
> Download Teams | Join on the web
>
> Or call in (audio only)
>
> +1 506-406-8124,,386169888#   Canada, Fredericton
>
> Phone Conference ID: 386 169 888#
>
> Find a local number | Reset PIN
>
> On 3/13/23, NB Power Rate Design <NBPowerRateDesign@nbpower.com> wrote:
>> Technical Conference for Matter 529, NB Power Rate Design
>> Tuesday, March 14, 2023
>> Time 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM Atlantic time
>>
>> NB Power is hosting a virtual Technical Conference for Matter 529, NB
>> Power
>> Rate Design, in accordance with the approved Filing Schedule in this
>> matter.
>>
>> The Detailed Agenda is as follows:
>>
>>   1.  Introductory comments
>>      *   Applicant
>>      *   Board staff
>>   2.  Topics as requested:
>>      *   Proposed customer classes
>>      *   Sensitivity of NB Power’s proposed classes to class cost
>> allocations
>>      *   Transitioning to new classes
>>   3.  New topics (time permitting)
>>   4.  Wrap-up
>>
>> NB Power Rate Design
>>
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>> This e-mail communication (including any or all attachments) is intended
>> only for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed and may
>> contain confidential and/or privileged material. If you are not the
>> intended
>> recipient of this e-mail, any use, review, retransmission, distribution,
>> dissemination, copying, printing, or other use of, or taking of any
>> action
>> in reliance upon this e-mail, is strictly prohibited. If you have
>> received
>> this e-mail in error, please contact the sender and delete the original
>> and
>> any copy of this e-mail and any printout thereof, immediately. Your
>> co-operation is appreciated.
>> Le présent courriel (y compris toute pièce jointe) s'adresse uniquement à
>> son destinataire, qu'il soit une personne ou un organisme, et pourrait
>> comporter des renseignements privilégiés ou confidentiels. Si vous n'êtes
>> pas le destinataire du courriel, il est interdit d'utiliser, de revoir,
>> de
>> retransmettre, de distribuer, de disséminer, de copier ou d'imprimer ce
>> courriel, d'agir en vous y fiant ou de vous en servir de toute autre
>> façon.
>> Si vous avez reçu le présent courriel par erreur, prière de communiquer
>> avec
>> l'expéditeur et d'éliminer l'original du courriel, ainsi que toute copie
>> électronique ou imprimée de celui-ci, immédiatement. Nous sommes
>> reconnaissants de votre collaboration.
>>
>


Deja Vu Anyone???


---------- Original message ----------
From: Margot Cragg <margot.cragg@umnb.ca>
Date: Tue, 5 Jul 2022 11:52:06 -0700
Subject: Auto-reply/Réponse automatique Re: Methins everybody but the
mindless lawyer Mr Furey knows why I called Chuck Firlotte again N'esy
Pas Higgy??
To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com

Thank you for your email. My last day at UMNB was May 11, 2021. It has
been a pleasure & privilege working for New Brunswick’s
municipalities.

* General questions: Contact info@umnb.ca or 506-444-2285
* Executive Director: Contact Dan Murphy at dan.murphy@umnb.ca

Merci pour votre courriel. Mon dernier jour de travail à l'UMNB était le
11 mai 2021. Ce fut un plaisir et un privilège de travailler pour les
municipalités du Nouveau-Brunswick.

* Questions générales : Contactez info@umnb.ca ou 506-444-2285
* Directeur général : Contactez Dan Murphy à dan.murphy@umnb.ca


--
*Margot Cragg*  Executive Director | Directrice générale
Union of the Municipalities of New Brunswick | Union des municipalités du
Nouveau-Brunswick
302-259 rue Brunswick St., Fredericton NB E3B 1G8 | Tel: (506) 444-2285 |
Cell: (506) 476-5641 | www.umnb.ca



---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 5 Jul 2022 15:51:58 -0300
Subject: Methins everybody but the mindless lawyer Mr Furey knows why
I called Chuck Firlotte again N'esy Pas Higgy??
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, cvfirlotte@gmail.com,
premier <premier@gnb.ca>, "blaine.higgs"<blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>,
"Holland, Mike (LEG)"<mike.holland@gnb.ca>, dan.murphy@umnb.ca,
info@umnb.ca, pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, "Katie.Telford"
<Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>
Cc: NBP Regulatory <NBPRegulatory@nbpower.com>, "Mike.Comeau"
<Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca>, "hugh.flemming"<hugh.flemming@gnb.ca>,
"Mitchell, Kathleen"<Kathleen.Mitchell@nbeub.ca>,
"louis-philippe.gauthier@cfib.ca"<louis-philippe.gauthier@cfib.ca>,
"david.sollows@gnb.ca"<david.sollows@gnb.ca>, "david.russell@gnb.ca"
<david.russell@gnb.ca>, "Gilles.volpe@libertyutilities.com"
<Gilles.volpe@libertyutilities.com>, "Paul.Volpe@libertyutilities.com"
<Paul.Volpe@libertyutilities.com>, "dave.lavigne@libertyutilities.com"
<dave.lavigne@libertyutilities.com>, "Hoyt, Len"
<len.hoyt@mcinnescooper.com>, "Callaghan, Jeffery"
<jeffery.callaghan@mcinnescooper.com>, "rzarumba@ceadvisors.com"
<rzarumba@ceadvisors.com>, "gerald@kissnb.com"<gerald@kissnb.com>,
"cstewart@stewartmckelvey.com"<cstewart@stewartmckelvey.com>,
"hanrahan.dion@jdirving.com"<hanrahan.dion@jdirving.com>,
"lcozzarini@nbpower.com"<lcozzarini@nbpower.com>,
"srussell@nbpower.com"<srussell@nbpower.com>, "SWaycott@nbpower.com"
<SWaycott@nbpower.com>, "bcrawford@nbpower.com"
<bcrawford@nbpower.com>, "George.Porter@nbpower.com"
<George.Porter@nbpower.com>, NBEUB/CESPNB <General@nbeub.ca>, "Dickie,
Michael"<Michael.Dickie@nbeub.ca>, "Lawton, John"
<John.Lawton@nbeub.ca>, "Young, Dave"<Dave.Young@nbeub.ca>,
"Ahmad.Faruqui@brattle.com"<Ahmad.Faruqui@brattle.com>,
"Cecile.Bourbonnais@brattle.com"<Cecile.Bourbonnais@brattle.com>,
"heather.black@gnb.ca"<heather.black@gnb.ca>, "rdk@indecon.com"
<rdk@indecon.com>, "rrichard@nb.aibn.com"<rrichard@nb.aibn.com>,
"sussexsharingclub@nb.aibn.com"<sussexsharingclub@nb.aibn.com>,
"margot.cragg@umnb.ca"<margot.cragg@umnb.ca>,
"jeff.garrett@sjenergy.com"<jeff.garrett@sjenergy.com>,
"dan.dionne@perth-andover.com"<dan.dionne@perth-andover.com>,
"pierreroy@edmundston.ca"<pierreroy@edmundston.ca>,
"ray.robinson@sjenergy.com"<ray.robinson@sjenergy.com>,
"sstoll@airdberlis.com"<sstoll@airdberlis.com>,
"pzarnett@bdrenergy.com"<pzarnett@bdrenergy.com>,
"leducjr@nb.sympatico.ca"<leducjr@nb.sympatico.ca>, Katherine
McBrearty <Katherine.McBrearty@nbeub.ca>, Fishman Kramer
<lizkramer@hotmail.com>, "Ian.Shugart"<Ian.Shugart@pco-bcp.gc.ca>,
"Brenda.Lucki"<Brenda.Lucki@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "barbara.massey"
<barbara.massey@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>,
kcronkhite@nbpower.com, "Petrie, Jamie"<JPetrie@nbpower.com>,
"wharrison@nbpower.com"<wharrison@nbpower.com>, SLagace@nbpower.com,
Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, Nathalie Sturgeon
<sturgeon.nathalie@brunswicknews.com>, "steve.murphy"
<steve.murphy@ctv.ca>, "Robert. Jones"<Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2022/07/energy-affordability-not-availability.html

Saturday, 2 July 2022
Energy affordability, not availability, ought to be the priority of
Atlantic Canada's premiers


https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-power-electricty-crown-utility-1.6509994


N.B. Power CEO fired as utility embarks on 'transformational change'
Board of directors made decision to fire CEO Keith Cronkhite 2 years
after he started in role
Aidan Cox · CBC News · Posted: Jul 04, 2022 6:25 PM AT


https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2022/07/atlantic-premiers-say-decision-needed.html


Saturday, 2 July 2022
Atlantic premiers say decision needed soon from Ottawa on regional
energy corridor


---------- Original message ----------
From: Margot Cragg <margot.cragg@umnb.ca>
Date: Tue, 28 Jun 2022 13:54:13 -0700
Subject: Auto-reply/Réponse automatique Re: NB Power - 2022 Rate
Design Application What about Mon Ami???
To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com

Thank you for your email. My last day at UMNB was May 11, 2021. It has
been a pleasure & privilege working for New Brunswick’s
municipalities.

* General questions: Contact info@umnb.ca or 506-444-2285
* Executive Director: Contact Dan Murphy at dan.murphy@umnb.ca

Merci pour votre courriel. Mon dernier jour de travail à l'UMNB était le
11 mai 2021. Ce fut un plaisir et un privilège de travailler pour les
municipalités du Nouveau-Brunswick.

* Questions générales : Contactez info@umnb.ca ou 506-444-2285
* Directeur général : Contactez Dan Murphy à dan.murphy@umnb.ca

--
*Margot Cragg*  Executive Director | Directrice générale
Union of the Municipalities of New Brunswick | Union des municipalités du
Nouveau-Brunswick
302-259 rue Brunswick St., Fredericton NB E3B 1G8 | Tel: (506) 444-2285 |
Cell: (506) 476-5641 | www.umnb.ca


On 7/6/21, David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> wrote:
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Margot Cragg <margot.cragg@umnb.ca>
> Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2021 11:44:40 -0700
> Subject: Auto-reply/Réponse automatique Re: YO Higgy Do you and Mikey
> Holland or Chucky Firlotte the latest Chairman the NB Power Board of
> Directors have any idea how offensive I found the EUB Decision in the
> 497 Matter to be???
> To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com
>
> Thank you for your email. My last day at UMNB was May 11, 2021. It has
> been a pleasure & privilege working for New Brunswick’s
> municipalities.
>
> * General questions: Contact info@umnb.ca or 506-444-2285
> * Events & Bulletin: Contact Kandise Brown at kandise.brown@umnb.ca
> * Media inquiries: Contact UMNB President Alex Scholten at
> alex.scholten@vonm.ca or (506) 292-2879
>
> Merci pour votre courriel. Mon dernier jour de travail à l'UMNB était le
> 11 mai 2021. Ce fut un plaisir et un privilège de travailler pour les
> municipalités du Nouveau-Brunswick.
>
> * Questions générales : Contactez info@umnb.ca ou 506-444-2285
> * Événements et le bulletin : Contactez Kandise Brown à
> kandise.brown@umnb.ca
> * Questions des médias : Contactez le président de l'UMNB, Alex
> Scholten, à alex.scholten@vonm.ca ou au (506) 292-2879
>
>
> --
> *Margot Cragg*  Executive Director | Directrice générale
> Union of the Municipalities of New Brunswick | Union des municipalités du
> Nouveau-Brunswick
> 302-259 rue Brunswick St., Fredericton NB E3B 1G8 | Tel: (506) 444-2285 |
> Cell: (506) 476-5641 | www.umnb.ca
>
>
> On 6/17/21, David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Perhaps you all should review all the documents that I filed in the
>> 357 Matter and the two orther EUB Matters that I was barred from that
>> Mr Furey and Mr Firlotte  find to be oh so irrelevant
>>
>> Veitas Vincit
>> David Raymond Amos
>>
>>
>> Board of Directors Members
>>
>> Charles V. Firlotte, Chairman of the Board of Directors
>>
>> Charles "Chuck" Firlotte is the principal of Laurent Maxime
>> Consultancy, a management consulting firm dedicated to helping
>> businesses thrive. He has worked with company leaders in Canada, the
>> United States and the Caribbean, guiding them through strategic
>> planning and leadership development. Mr. Firlotte honed his expertise
>> over the course of three-plus decades, including more than 15 years as
>> President and CEO of Aquarion Company, the seventh largest, private
>> water utility in the United States. He previously held positions of
>> director, vice president, senior vice president and chief operating
>> officer in the United States and the United Kingdom for the Kelda
>> Group, a UK-based regulated utility. Born and raised on the north
>> shore of New Brunswick, Mr. Firlotte earned undergraduate and graduate
>> degrees from St. Thomas University in Fredericton and the University
>> of Ottawa, and he is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at
>> the Harvard School of Business. He serves on the board of Sacred Heart
>> University in Fairfield, Connecticut, and the HAB Group, a property
>> and asset management firm in the Turks and Caicos, British West
>> Indies.
>>
>> https://charlesvfirlotte.com/about-charles-firlotte/
>>
>> Connect with Chuck:
>> cvfirlotte@gmail.com
>> 203-650-9086
>>
>>
>> Judith Athaide
>>
>> Ms. Athaide is the President and CEO of The Cogent Group Inc, an
>> independent, energy advisory firm. Her experience in the energy
>> industry has spanned the value chain from wells to the wall socket.
>> She has a Bachelor of Commerce degree (Honours), a Masters of Business
>> Administration in Finance, a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical
>> Engineering and has been awarded the designation of ICD.D by the
>> Institute of Corporate Directors. Ms. Athaide serves on the Board of
>> Directors of Phoenix Energy Services where she chairs the Nomination &
>> Governance Committee, the Board of Trisummit Utilities where she
>> chairs the Health, Safety and Environment Committee, the Board of CMG
>> Limited, the Board of HSBC Canada and the Board of Sustainable
>> Development Technology Canada.
>>
>>
>>
>> Anne E. Bertrand, Q.C.
>>
>> Ms. Bertrand hails from the Acadian Peninsula and was educated in
>> French and English. She studied Biology and Law, and has been
>> practicing law since 1986. In 2010, she was appointed the Province of
>> New Brunswick’s first Access to Information and Privacy Commissioner.
>> In that role for seven years, she oversaw government, municipalities,
>> crown corporations and the private health care sector. In private
>> practice, Ms. Bertrand sat as an adjudicator on various administrative
>> tribunals at both provincial and federal levels, and she appeared
>> before all levels of court including the Supreme Court of Canada.
>>
>> Ms. Bertrand has held several board positions, among which: President
>> of the Conseil Économique du Nouveau-Brunswick, National Vice
>> President of the Mounted Police Foundation, Chair of the New Brunswick
>> Foundation for the Arts, President of the York Sunbury Law Society;
>> Director of the Greater Fredericton Economic Development Corporation.
>> In business, she managed her husband’s group of environmental
>> engineering and consulting companies. In 2011, she was inducted in the
>> Réseau des femmes d’affaires francophone du Canada for her vision and
>> exceptional leadership in business and in her community. Ms. Bertrand
>> was appointed in 2018 as Ad hoc Information Commissioner as well as Ad
>> hoc Privacy Commissioner for Canada.
>>
>>
>>
>> Alain Bossé
>>
>> Mr. Bossé is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Groupe
>> Savoie Inc. located in St-Quentin, NB. Mr. Bossé is in his 35th year
>> with this very dynamic organization involved in the fabrication of
>> value-added products and employing over 600 individuals in sawmills
>> located in St-Quentin, Kedgwick, Moncton, and Westville, Nova Scotia.
>> Throughout his career he served on many associations including:
>> Enterprise Restigouche, Restigouche Community Business Development
>> Corporation, Governor’s Council at Université de Moncton, Board Chair
>> of Efficiency New Brunswick and the Economic Council of NB as Director
>> and as President. He was nominated for the Alumnus of the Year in 2013
>> from the Faculty of Administration at the University of Moncton,
>> Manager of the Year award in 1990 and Gilbert-Finn Manager Emeritus
>> award in 2009. He is a director of Bégin & Bégin Inc., Institut de
>> Recherche sur les Feuillus Nordiques, New Brunswick Forest, New
>> Brunswick Business Council and Assomption Vie.
>>
>>
>>
>> Andrew MacGillivray
>>
>> Mr. MacGillivray is the retired President and CEO of Gay Lea Foods, a
>> large Canadian dairy co-operative. He also serves as the Chair of the
>> Moosehead and Crosby Advisory Boards, Director of the Saint John
>> Airport and Ganong Boards, a member of the Board of the Wallace McCain
>> Institute and is actively engaged in advising and supporting local
>> businesses and community programs. Prior to his 12 years with Gay Lea,
>> Andrew held leadership roles with both private and public companies
>> including Saputo, Agrifoods, Baxter Foods and Nestle. He is a graduate
>> with a BBA from St. Francis Xavier University and an MBA from York
>> University.
>>
>>
>>
>> Paul McCoy, P. E.
>>
>> Mr. McCoy provides consulting services through McCoy Energy Consulting
>> LLC. He co-founded Trans-Elect, an independent transmission company in
>> 1999, and was the company’s president. Prior to Trans-Elect, he had
>> spent his career at Commonwealth Edison lastly as Senior Vice
>> President, and President of ComEd’s Transmission Group. Mr. McCoy has
>> held numerous leadership positions in major transmission industry
>> organizations and has significant experience working with state and
>> federal utility regulators in the United States. He is a member of the
>> Wanger Institute of Sustainable Energy Resources (WISER) and the
>> Electrical and Computer Engineering Department's Board of Advisors at
>> the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). He is also the Chair of
>> the Board of Directors at De La Salle Institute in Chicago. He has a
>> Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from IIT.
>>
>>
>>
>> Scott Northard, P.E.
>>
>> Mr. Northard is President of Due North Energy Consulting, LLC, which
>> provides consulting services to energy and other technology-related
>> businesses. Mr. Northard retired in 2018 as Fleet Vice President,
>> Nuclear with Xcel Energy Nuclear Generation Department in Minneapolis,
>> Minnesota. Over the course of his more than 40 years in the utility
>> industry, Mr. Northard held positions including Site Vice President,
>> Vice President – Nuclear Operations, Regulatory Affairs Manager,
>> Nuclear Safety Assurance Manager and various roles in finance, human
>> resources, materials management and project management. Mr. Northard
>> holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering from the
>> University of Wisconsin-Madison. He completed the INPO Senior Nuclear
>> Plant Manager course and is a graduate of NMC Nuclear Management
>> Development Program at the University of Minnesota – Carlson School of
>> Management and the Executive Development Program at Northwestern
>> University – Kellogg School of Management. Mr. Northard is a
>> Registered Professional Engineer and a former licensed Senior Reactor
>> Operator.
>>
>>
>>
>> Mark E. Reddemann
>>
>> Mr. Reddemann retired as Chief Executive Officer of Nawah Energy
>> Company after delivering the first unit of the Barakah Nuclear Energy
>> Plant, located in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Prior to this role, he was the Chief
>> Executive Officer of Energy Northwest where he was responsible for
>> providing energy services to 27 member utilities, and the reliable
>> generation of electric capacity from nuclear, wind, hydro and solar
>> facilities. He previously served as a vice president with Xcel Energy,
>> Nuclear Management Company, Institute of Nuclear Power Operations and
>> Wisconsin Electric and also served on numerous Corporate Nuclear
>> Safety Review Boards. He holds a bachelor's degree in applied
>> mathematics, engineering and physics from the University of
>> Wisconsin-Madison and is a graduate of the Minnesota Management
>> Institute at the University of Minnesota Curtis L. Carlson School of
>> Management. Mr. Reddemann has served on a number of boards of
>> directors including the Nuclear Energy Institute, Association of
>> Washington Business, Volpentest Hazardous Materials Management and
>> Emergency Response Federal Training Center, and the Tri-City
>> Development Council.
>>
>>
>>
>> Barbara Trenholm
>>
>> Ms. Trenholm is a professor emerita at the University of New Brunswick
>> (UNB) and holds an ICD.D with the Institute of Corporate Directors and
>> a FCPA, FCA with CPA New Brunswick. Ms. Trenholm is currently a member
>> of the Plaza Retail REIT board of trustees and the International
>> Development Research Centre board of governors. She is a past board
>> member of AECL and the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants
>> (now known as CPA Canada), past-president of the New Brunswick
>> Institute of Chartered Accountants (now known as CPA New Brunswick)
>> and past acting dean of the Faculty of Business Administration at UNB.
>> In addition, she has chaired or served as a member of a number of
>> other international, national, regional as well as local boards and
>> committees.
>>
>>
>>
>> Nancy Whipp
>>
>> Mrs. Whipp is a FCPA, CA. She recently obtained her ICD. D. In 2018
>> she retired as the President and Chief Executive Officer of CPA New
>> Brunswick where she was responsible for the merger of the CA, CGA and
>> CMA accounting bodies. Prior to this appointment, Mrs. Whipp has
>> served as a professional consultant for many companies in New
>> Brunswick and Ontario. In addition, she provided transformational
>> leadership to the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce as their CEO.
>> Before moving to New Brunswick in 2009, Mrs. Whipp held various
>> positions in financial management at JTI-McDonald Corp., Unsworth and
>> Associates Luxembourg, KPMG, CN, BCE Inc. and Pirelli Cables Inc. Mrs.
>> Whipp got her CA designation with Ernst & Young in Montreal in 1989.
>> She currently is the Chair of the Board Directors of the Greater
>> Moncton International Airport Authority and of the Fondation du
>> Théâtre l’Escaouette and sits on the Audit Committee of the Federal
>> Privy Council.
>>
>>
>>
>> Mike Wilson
>>
>> Mr. Wilson is CEO of the AIL Group of Companies, headquartered in
>> Sackville, NB. The AIL Group is a world leader in delivering
>> infrastructure solutions through manufacturing plants across North
>> America, and licensees in Australia and Europe. Mr. Wilson is active
>> in research and development and has developed several international
>> patents. He is the past Chairman of the New Brunswick Business
>> Council, Past President of the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, New
>> Brunswick Chapter and is also a current member of the board of
>> directors for Medavie Blue Cross. In 2013, he was inducted into the
>> New Brunswick Business Hall of Fame, and named “Atlantic Entrepreneur
>> of the Year” in 2005.Mr. Wilson is a graduate of UNB's Civil
>> Engineering program.
>>
>>
>>
>> Keith Cronkhite, NB Power President and CEO
>>
>> Keith Cronkhite was appointed NB Power President and Chief Executive
>> Officer on April 1, 2020. A lifelong New Brunswicker, Keith has more
>> than 30 years’ industry experience. He has held positions of
>> increasing responsibility within NB Power operations and corporate,
>> including his most recent role of Senior Vice President, Business
>> Development and Strategic Planning. He is well known within the energy
>> industry, and throughout his career has established strong working
>> relationships with industry, government and business leaders.
>>
>> Keith’s vision for NB Power includes a nimble, customer-focused NB
>> Power that is well positioned to serve New Brunswickers while
>> responding to a rapidly changing industry. He is committed to ensuring
>> the customer is at the centre of NB Power’s business decisions, and
>> that the utility ensures New Brunswickers have clean, reliable energy
>> at stable prices for generations to come.
>>
>> Keith has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the
>> University of New Brunswick, has completed the Reactor Technology
>> course for Utility Executives at the Massachusetts Institute of
>> Technology. He holds an ICD.D with the Institute of Corporate
>> Directors and is board member on the Energy Council of Canada as well
>> as the Atlantica Centre for Energy. He is also a member of the
>> Canadian Standards Association Technical Committee.
>>
>> MEDIA CONTACT: Sheila Lagacé, Communications, NB Power, 506-458-2345
>> or SLagace@nbpower.com.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> June 16, 2021
>>
>> NEW BRUNSWICK ENERGY AND UTILITIES BOARD
>> VARIANCE OF A DECISION
>> IN THE MATTER OF an application by New Brunswick Power Corporation
>> requesting a variance of the decision in Matter 357, in accordance
>> with section 43 of the Energy and Utilities Board Act, S.N.B. 2006, c.
>> E-9.18 and Rules 1.2.5 and 8.1.1 of the Rules of Procedure. (Matter
>> No. 497)
>>
>>
>> NEW BRUNSWICK ENERGY AND UTILITIES BOARD:
>>
>> Acting Chairperson:
>> François Beaulieu
>>
>> Members:
>> Michael Costello
>> Patrick Ervin
>> John Patrick Herron
>>
>> Board Counsel:
>> Katherine McBrearty
>>
>> Counsel for Board Staff:
>> Matthew Letson
>>
>> Chief Clerk:
>> Kathleen Mitchell
>>
>> APPLICANT:
>>
>> New Brunswick Power Corporation:
>> John Furey
>>
>> PARTICIPANTS:
>>
>> David Amos:
>> Per se
>>
>> Liz Kramer:
>> Per se
>>
>> Dr. Roger Richard:
>> Per se
>>
>> Utilities Municipal:
>> Scott Stoll
>>
>> PUBLIC INTERVENER:
>> Heather Black
>>
>> A. Introduction
>>
>> [1] This decision arises out of an application filed by the New
>> Brunswick Power Corporation (NB Power) on May 5, 2021 (Application)
>> pursuant to section 43 of the Energy and Utilities Board Act, S.N.B.
>> 2006, c. E-9.18 (Act) and Rules 1.2.5 and 8.1.1 of the Board’s Rules
>> of Procedure (Rules of Procedure).
>>
>> [2] NB Power requests that the Board vary its decision of August 4,
>> 2020 (Matter 357
>> Decision), by granting an extension of the time required for it to
>> file an application
>> regarding the first phase of the rate design process from June 30,
>> 2021, to a date no later than June 30, 2022.
>>
>> [3] In the Matter 357 Decision, the Board directed NB Power to
>> commence a new proceeding to include three distinct phases: first, to
>> file an application by June 30, 2021, to address certain issues
>> identified in the decision; second, to provide details of the timing
>> and issues to be resolved, which would identify rate design options
>> and determine the rate structure; and third, to establish and
>> implement a new rate design.
>>
>> [4] On May 12, the Board ordered that NB Power serve the Application
>> and supporting
>> materials on all parties in Matter 357 and post them on its website.
>> NB Power filed an
>> affidavit, sworn on June 3, confirming that the Application and the
>> Notice of the
>> Application were posted in accordance with the Board’s Order. The Notice
>> of
>> the
>> Application was also published on May 13 in four daily provincial
>> newspapers.
>>
>> [5] At the hearing on June 8, Mr. Furey confirmed that NB Power
>> complied with Rules 8.2.3 and 8.2.6 of the Rules of Procedure with
>> respect to service and filing.
>>
>> [6] Written submissions were received from Mr. Scott Stoll, as counsel
>> for Utilities Municipal, and Ms. Heather Black, the Public Intervener.
>>
>> [7] Written submissions were also received from Mr. David Amos, Ms.
>> Liz Kramer, and Dr. Roger Richard. The Board finds that none of these
>> written submissions addressed the merits of the issue at hand, whether
>> the Board should vary the Matter 357 Decision, as described in the
>> Application.
>>
>> B. Issues
>>
>> [8] The key issue in this matter is whether the Board should vary its
>> Matter 357 Decision as described above and, if so, under what
>> conditions.
>>
>> C. Analysis
>>
>> [9] The Board held a hearing on June 8 by video conference and heard
>> oral submissions on behalf of NB Power, Dr. Richard, Utilities
>> Municipal, and the Public Intervener.
>> [10] Mr. Furey submitted that there are new facts since the Matter 357
>> Decision that have resulted in changed circumstances that, in the
>> overall context of these rate design
>> proceedings, make up sufficient grounds to vary the decision. He
>> further submitted that the expected easing of restrictions, referred
>> to by the provincial government as the “Path to Green”, is not the end
>> of business impacts as a result of the pandemic.
>> [11] Mr. Furey stated that the Board should consider the following
>> “four contextual factors” in its decision to extend the time to file
>> an application with respect to rate design:
>> (1) In the Matter 357 Decision, the Board identified that rate design
>> proceedings will move forward in a three-phase approach and that, in
>> NB Power’s submission, the Board correctly characterized this first
>> phase as laying a foundation for future rate design proceedings.
>> (2) The Board has recognized that decisions in this round of rate
>> design proceedings
>> would likely have long-term impacts for all customers, in particular,
>> the commercial and industrial classes. Mr. Furey submitted that NB
>> Power is required to bring forward proposals with respect to customer
>> classification, including an action plan for the elimination of the
>> General Service II class.
>> (3) Proposed changes to rate design impacts on the rates and bills of
>> certain
>> customers, especially in the commercial and industrial classes.
>> (4) The importance assigned by the Board to the ability, through
>> advocates,
>> of
>> under-represented customers, to make submissions, which would contribute
>> to
>> the rate design process.
>>
>> [12] Dr. Richard submitted that he had no objection to extending the
>> time to file an application to June 30, 2022.
>>
>> [13] Utilities Municipal supported the Application, subject to two
>> comments. First, Mr. Stoll expressed a concern that there may be a
>> strain on the resources of some regular participants in Board
>> proceedings, given the number of potential hearings within the next 18
>> months.
>>
>> Second, he stated that he does not wish to see this proceeding
>> “languish for another year.” Mr. Stoll suggested that NB Power
>> continue with any work using an “[…] incremental approach to the rate
>> design process so that we don’t inadvertently end up circling back or
>> redoing certain things […].”
>>
>> [14] In its submission, Utilities Municipal stated that it was not
>> able to identify specific work, but rather requested that the Board
>> seek input from NB Power about what would be possible to advance the
>> proceeding during any extension of time.
>>
>> [15] In its reply of June 4, NB Power responded to Mr. Stoll’s
>> comments, agreeing that efforts should be made to avoid overlapping of
>> proceedings before the Board. It suggested that its proposed deadline
>> of June 30, 2022, would accomplish that objective. It noted that, in
>> the meantime, it could advance work on certain issues and utilize a
>> more up-to-date budget and load data.
>>
>> [16] In her written submission dated May 27, Ms. Black supported the
>> Application stating that she had no objection to the extension of time
>> requested. Ms. Black stated that she supported the suggestion that NB
>> Power file a plan to overcome what was referred to as the
>> “representation gap” to ensure that, for example, residential
>> customers’ interests are adequately represented.
>>
>> [17] Section 43 of the Act states:
>> 43 The Board may review, rescind or vary any order made by it.
>>
>> [18] Rules 1.2.5 and 8.1.1 of the Rules of Procedure state:
>> 1.2.5. The Board may in its discretion extend or abridge the time
>> fixed by these Rules or by the Board, on its own initiative or in
>> response to a request by a party, either before or after the time so
>> fixed has expired.
>>
>> 8.1.1. An application to review, rescind, or vary an order under section
>> 43
>> of
>> the Act, or to rehear an application under section 44 of the Act shall
>> contain:
>> a) a concise statement of the facts;
>> b) the grounds that the applicant considers sufficient, including:
>> i. any error of law or of jurisdiction,
>> ii. changed circumstances or new facts that have arisen since the
>> close of the original proceeding, or
>> iii. facts that were not placed in evidence in the original proceeding
>> and that were then not discoverable by reasonable diligence;
>> c) any prejudice or damage that has resulted or will result from the
>> order;
>> and
>> d) the relief sought.
>>
>> [19] Accordingly, the Board has the discretion to vary its Matter 357
>> Decision by granting an extension of the time required for NB Power to
>> file its rate design application.
>>
>> [20] In making a determination with respect to a variance, the Board
>> must consider the criteria set out under Rule 8.1.1 of the Rules of
>> Procedure, and owes a duty of fairness to those who are affected by
>> its decisions.
>>
>> [21] As stated in the Matter 357 Decision, the Board needs to consider
>> how the views of
>> consumer groups will be represented in relation to rate design. The
>> Board’s hearing
>> procedure encourages public participation to provide a meaningful
>> opportunity to present
>> their case fully and fairly.
>>
>> [22] Due to the continuing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, however,
>> the Board recognizes that some people may not have this opportunity,
>> should the proceeding continue as currently scheduled.
>>
>> D. Conclusion
>>
>> [23] In light of these circumstances, the Board varies the Matter 357
>> Decision and grants an extension of time, as requested. NB Power is to
>> file an application to address the issues identified as the first
>> phase in the Matter 357 Decision to a date no later than June 30,
>> 2022, subject to the direction below.
>>
>> [24] The Board directs NB Power to file a proposal to address any gap
>> in relation to under-represented customers, as referenced in the
>> Matter 357 Decision, by October 31, 2021.
>>
>> Dated at Saint John, New Brunswick, this 16th day of June, 2021.
>> François Beaulieu
>> Acting Chairperson
>>
>> Michael Costello
>> Member
>>
>> Patrick Ervin
>> Member
>>
>> John Patrick Herron
>> Member
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ---------- Original message ----------
>> From: "Higgs, Premier Blaine (PO/CPM)"<Blaine.Higgs@gnb.ca>
>> Date: Fri, 4 Jun 2021 18:59:09 +0000
>> Subject: RE: Matter 497 - NB Power Application for a variance of a
>> decision / Instance 497 - Demande d'Énergie NB pour une modification
>> d'une décision
>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>
>> Hello,
>>
>> Thank you for taking the time to write.
>>
>> Due to the volume of incoming messages, this is an automated response
>> to let you know that your email has been received and will be reviewed
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>>
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>>
>> Merci d'avoir pris le temps de nous écrire.
>>
>> En raison du volume des messages reçus, cette réponse automatique vous
>> informe que votre courriel a été reçu et sera examiné dans les
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>> Si votre demande relève plutôt du mandat d'un ministère ou d'un autre
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>> If this is a Media Request, please contact the Premier’s office at
>> (506) 453-2144 or by email
>> media-medias@gnb.ca<mailto:media-medias@gnb.ca>
>>
>> S’il s’agit d’une demande des médias, veuillez communiquer avec le
>> Cabinet du premier ministre au 506-453-2144.
>>
>>
>> General Information
>> For general information and answers to common questions on novel
>> coronavirus please visit:
>> GNB/COVID-19<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.gnb.ca%2Fcontent%2Fgnb%2Fen%2Fcorporate%2Fpromo%2Fcovid-19.html&data=04%7C01%7CBlaine.Higgs%40gnb.ca%7C0136b42c4b0a43c7736e08d8c6c63f14%7Ce08b7eefb5014a679ed007e38bfccee7%7C0%7C0%7C637477902044012255%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=%2FGtlmCM6V3808%2BQgSt6Z3wjqnOXYsAu747t%2FfiaDJl0%3D&reserved=0>
>> or
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>>  information line  1-833-784-4397.
>>
>>
>> Safety Issues
>> For safety issues regarding place of employment/employer please call
>> WorkSafe NB 1-800-999-9775.
>>
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>> Please call 1-844-462-8387. The email address is
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>> Please call 1-833-948-2800.
>>
>>
>> MENTAL HEALTH
>> CHIMO Helpline 1-800-667-5005
>> Hope for Wellness Helpline 1-855-242-3310
>>
>> Canadian Border Services Agency
>> CBSA has instituted a COVID-19 hotline regarding border crossing
>> concerns/questions at
>> 1-800-461-9999.
>>
>> Employment Insurance Hotline
>> Please call 1-833-381-2725.
>>
>>
>> Renseignements généraux
>> Pour obtenir des renseignements généraux et des réponses aux questions
>> les plus fréquentes sur la COVID-19, veuillez consulter le site
>> GNB/COVID-19<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.gnb.ca%2Fcontent%2Fgnb%2Ffr%2Fcorporate%2Fpromo%2Fcovid-19.html&data=04%7C01%7CBlaine.Higgs%40gnb.ca%7C0136b42c4b0a43c7736e08d8c6c63f14%7Ce08b7eefb5014a679ed007e38bfccee7%7C0%7C0%7C637477902044022246%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=26VhE3DgZhYd1yDaBFGgqHI6ivyF9o%2F6%2ByymkoP9ubo%3D&reserved=0>
>> ou
>> Canada.ca/coronavirus<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.canada.ca%2Ffr%2Fsante-publique%2Fservices%2Fmaladies%2F2019-nouveau-coronavirus.html&data=04%7C01%7CBlaine.Higgs%40gnb.ca%7C0136b42c4b0a43c7736e08d8c6c63f14%7Ce08b7eefb5014a679ed007e38bfccee7%7C0%7C0%7C637477902044032242%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=77IrMQEwU2uBR9l3gMEYpY9xtWjSSfXBGgIMU9PsPig%3D&reserved=0>
>> ou composer le 1-833-784-4397.
>>
>> questions de sécurité
>> Pour les questions de sécurité concernant les lieux de travail ou les
>> employeurs, communiquez avec Travail sécuritaire NB au 1-800-999-9775.
>>
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>>
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>> Veuillez composer le 1-844-462-8387 ou envoyer un courriel à l’adresse
>> helpaide@gnb.ca<mailto:helpaide@gnb.ca>.
>>
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>> COVID-19
>> :
>> Composez le 1-833-948-2800.
>>
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>> Ligne d'aide CHIMO : 1-800-667-5005
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>>
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>> Composez le 1-833-381-2725.
>>
>>
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>> P.O Box/C. P. 6000 Fredericton New-Brunswick/Nouveau-Brunswick E3B 5H1
>> Canada
>> Tel./Tel. : (506) 453-2144
>> Email/Courriel:
>> premier@gnb.ca/premier.ministre@gnb.ca<mailto:premier@gnb.ca/premier.ministre@gnb.ca>
>>
>>
>>
>> ---------- Original message ----------
>> From: NBEUB/CESPNB <General@nbeub.ca>
>> Date: Fri, 4 Jun 2021 18:58:16 +0000
>> Subject: RE: Matter 497 - NB Power Application for a variance of a
>> decision / Instance 497 - Demande d'Énergie NB pour une modification
>> d'une décision
>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>
>> Thank you for your email to the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board.
>>
>> This is to acknowledge receipt of the document(s) you have filed with
>> the Board.
>>
>>
>> La Commission de l’énergie et des services publics du
>> Nouveau-Brunswick vous remercie pour votre courriel.
>>
>> Nous accusons réception du/des document(s) que vous avez déposé(s)
>> auprès de la Commission.
>>
>> Sarah Thebeau
>> Administrative Assistant / Assistante administrative
>> (506) 658-2504 (Reception)
>> (506) 658-2711 (Direct)
>>
>>
>>
>> Confidentiality Notice
>>
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>> ne renonce pas à la protection accordée en vertu de la loi applicable.
>> Sa divulgation à toute personne autre que son destinataire ne
>> constitue pas une renonciation de privilège. Sa possession ou
>> l'utilisation, par une personne autre que celle pour laquelle il est
>> destiné, n'est pas autorisée par son auteur et est strictement
>> interdite.  Si vous recevez cette communication par erreur, veuillez
>> nous appeler dans les plus brefs délais, à frais virés, au (506)
>> 658-2504.  Aussi, si vous avez reçu ce courriel par erreur, veuillez
>> effacer ce courriel, ainsi que les pièces jointes, de votre système
>> informatique et de vos dossiers.  Merci.
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: David Amos [mailto:david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com]
>> Sent: Friday, June 4, 2021 3:56 PM
>> To: Furey, John <john.furey@mcinnescooper.com>; NBP Regulatory
>> <NBPRegulatory@nbpower.com>; Mike.Comeau <Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca>;
>> hugh.flemming <hugh.flemming@gnb.ca>; premier <premier@gnb.ca>;
>> blaine.higgs <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>; Holland, Mike (LEG)
>> <mike.holland@gnb.ca>; Mitchell, Kathleen
>> <Kathleen.Mitchell@nbeub.ca>; louis-philippe.gauthier@cfib.ca;
>> david.sollows@gnb.ca; david.russell@gnb.ca;
>> Gilles.volpe@libertyutilities.com; Paul.Volpe@libertyutilities.com;
>> dave.lavigne@libertyutilities.com; Hoyt, Len
>> <len.hoyt@mcinnescooper.com>; Callaghan, Jeffery
>> <jeffery.callaghan@mcinnescooper.com>; rzarumba@ceadvisors.com;
>> gerald@kissnb.com; cstewart@stewartmckelvey.com;
>> hanrahan.dion@jdirving.com; lcozzarini@nbpower.com;
>> srussell@nbpower.com; SWaycott@nbpower.com; bcrawford@nbpower.com;
>> George.Porter@nbpower.com; NBEUB/CESPNB <General@nbeub.ca>; Dickie,
>> Michael <Michael.Dickie@nbeub.ca>; Lawton, John
>> <John.Lawton@nbeub.ca>; Young, Dave <Dave.Young@nbeub.ca>;
>> Ahmad.Faruqui@brattle.com; Cecile.Bourbonnais@brattle.com;
>> heather.black@gnb.ca; rdk@indecon.com; rrichard@nb.aibn.com;
>> sussexsharingclub@nb.aibn.com; margot.cragg@umnb.ca;
>> jeff.garrett@sjenergy.com; dan.dionne@perth-andover.com;
>> pierreroy@edmundston.ca; ray.robinson@sjenergy.com;
>> sstoll@airdberlis.com; pzarnett@bdrenergy.com;
>> leducjr@nb.sympatico.ca; Katherine McBrearty
>> <Katherine.McBrearty@nbeub.ca>; Fishman Kramer <lizkramer@hotmail.com>
>> Cc: kcronkhite@nbpower.com; Petrie, Jamie <JPetrie@nbpower.com>;
>> wharrison@nbpower.com
>> Subject: Re: Matter 497 - NB Power Application for a variance of a
>> decision / Instance 497 - Demande d'Énergie NB pour une modification
>> d'une décision
>>
>> Mr Furey
>>
>> Mr Petrie informed me out of the gate that you and your old boss
>> Madame Harrison were no longer employed by NB Power So now I must ask
>> the latest CEO Keith Cronkhite and the new NB Power Board (corrected)
>> have they hired Harrison back to stand in Mr Petrie's stead while you
>> continue to act
>> against my interests and concerns under a private contract???
>>
>> Veritas Vincit
>> David Raymond Amos
>>
>>
>> On 6/4/21, Furey, John <john.furey@mcinnescooper.com> wrote:
>>> Dear Ms. Mitchell,
>>>
>>> In accordance with the Board Order dated May 12, 2021, please find
>>> attached
>>> the Submissions of NB Power in this matter.
>>>
>>> As required by the Board Order, all parties to Matter 357 are being
>>> served.
>>> Ms. Liz Kramer is also being served through the email address utilized
>>> by
>>> the Board to distribute instructions for the hearing.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>>
>>> John
>>>
>>> [McInnes Cooper]
>>> John Furey
>>> Counsel
>>> McInnes Cooper
>>>
>>> tel +1 (506) 458 1628 | fax +1 (506) 458 9903 | mobile +1 (506) 282 0380
>>>
>>> Barker House, Suite 600
>>> 570 Queen Street
>>> PO Box 610 Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A6
>>>
>>> asst Nanette Phillips | +1 (506) 458 1629
>>>
>>
>> ---------- Original message ----------
>> From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>> Date: Sat, 1 May 2021 15:21:20 -0300
>> Subject: Methinks Mr Petrie should not deny that I tried to talk to
>> him before responding to his Motion from NB Power in relation to the
>> Board's Decision of August 4, 2020 just before you had the writ dopped
>> the last election N'esy Pas Higgy?
>> To: NBP Regulatory <NBPRegulatory@nbpower.com>, "Mike.Comeau"
>> <Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca>, "hugh.flemming"<hugh.flemming@gnb.ca>, premier
>> <premier@gnb.ca>, "blaine.higgs"<blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, "Holland, Mike
>> (LEG)"<mike.holland@gnb.ca>
>> Cc: "Mitchell, Kathleen"<Kathleen.Mitchell@nbeub.ca>,
>> "louis-philippe.gauthier@cfib.ca"<louis-philippe.gauthier@cfib.ca>,
>> "david.sollows@gnb.ca"<david.sollows@gnb.ca>, "david.russell@gnb.ca"
>> <david.russell@gnb.ca>, "Gilles.volpe@libertyutilities.com"
>> <Gilles.volpe@libertyutilities.com>, "Paul.Volpe@libertyutilities.com"
>> <Paul.Volpe@libertyutilities.com>, "dave.lavigne@libertyutilities.com"
>> <dave.lavigne@libertyutilities.com>, "Hoyt, Len"
>> <len.hoyt@mcinnescooper.com>, "jeffery.callaghan@mcinnescooper.com"
>> <jeffery.callaghan@mcinnescooper.com>, "rzarumba@ceadvisors.com"
>> <rzarumba@ceadvisors.com>, "gerald@kissnb.com"<gerald@kissnb.com>,
>> "cstewart@stewartmckelvey.com"<cstewart@stewartmckelvey.com>,
>> "hanrahan.dion@jdirving.com"<hanrahan.dion@jdirving.com>, "Russell,
>> Stephen"<SRussell@nbpower.com>, "Harrison, Wanda"
>> <WHarrison@nbpower.com>, "Waycott, Stephen"<SWaycott@nbpower.com>,
>> "Crawford, Brad"<BCrawford@nbpower.com>, "Porter, George"
>> <George.Porter@nbpower.com>, NBEUB/CESPNB <General@nbeub.ca>, "Dickie,
>> Michael"<Michael.Dickie@nbeub.ca>, "Lawton, John"
>> <John.Lawton@nbeub.ca>, "Young, Dave"<Dave.Young@nbeub.ca>,
>> "Ahmad.Faruqui@brattle.com"<Ahmad.Faruqui@brattle.com>,
>> "Cecile.Bourbonnais@brattle.com"<Cecile.Bourbonnais@brattle.com>,
>> "heather.black@gnb.ca"<heather.black@gnb.ca>, "rdk@indecon.com"
>> <rdk@indecon.com>, "rrichard@nb.aibn.com"<rrichard@nb.aibn.com>,
>> "sussexsharingclub@nb.aibn.com"<sussexsharingclub@nb.aibn.com>,
>> "margot.cragg@umnb.ca"<margot.cragg@umnb.ca>,
>> "jeff.garrett@sjenergy.com"<jeff.garrett@sjenergy.com>,
>> "dan.dionne@perth-andover.com"<dan.dionne@perth-andover.com>,
>> "pierreroy@edmundston.ca"<pierreroy@edmundston.ca>,
>> "ray.robinson@sjenergy.com"<ray.robinson@sjenergy.com>,
>> "sstoll@airdberlis.com"<sstoll@airdberlis.com>,
>> "pzarnett@bdrenergy.com"<pzarnett@bdrenergy.com>,
>> "leducjr@nb.sympatico.ca"<leducjr@nb.sympatico.ca>, "Furey, John"
>> <john.furey@mcinnescooper.com>, "Petrie, Jamie"<JPetrie@nbpower.com>
>>
>> ---------- Original message ----------
>> From: "Higgs, Premier Blaine (PO/CPM)"<Blaine.Higgs@gnb.ca>
>> Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2021 19:20:33 +0000
>> Subject: RE: Filing of Motion from NB Power in relation to the Board's
>> Decision of August 4, 2020 Methinks Mr Petrie should have done his
>> homework N'esy Pas Higgy?
>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>
>> Hello,
>>
>> Thank you for taking the time to write.
>>
>> Due to the volume of incoming messages, this is an automated response
>> to let you know that your email has been received and will be reviewed
>> at the earliest opportunity.
>>
>> If your inquiry more appropriately falls within the mandate of a
>> Ministry or other area of government, staff will refer your email for
>> review and consideration.
>>
>> Merci d'avoir pris le temps de nous écrire.
>>
>> En raison du volume des messages reçus, cette réponse automatique vous
>> informe que votre courriel a été reçu et sera examiné dans les
>> meilleurs délais.
>>
>> Si votre demande relève plutôt du mandat d'un ministère ou d'un autre
>> secteur du gouvernement, le personnel vous renverra votre courriel
>> pour examen et considération.
>>
>> If this is a Media Request, please contact the Premier’s office at
>> (506) 453-2144 or by email
>> media-medias@gnb.ca<mailto:media-medias@gnb.ca>
>>
>> S’il s’agit d’une demande des médias, veuillez communiquer avec le
>> Cabinet du premier ministre au 506-453-2144.
>>
>>
>> General Information
>> For general information and answers to common questions on novel
>> coronavirus please visit:
>> GNB/COVID-19<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.gnb.ca%2Fcontent%2Fgnb%2Fen%2Fcorporate%2Fpromo%2Fcovid-19.html&data=04%7C01%7CBlaine.Higgs%40gnb.ca%7C0136b42c4b0a43c7736e08d8c6c63f14%7Ce08b7eefb5014a679ed007e38bfccee7%7C0%7C0%7C637477902044012255%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=%2FGtlmCM6V3808%2BQgSt6Z3wjqnOXYsAu747t%2FfiaDJl0%3D&reserved=0>
>> or
>> Canada.ca/coronavirus<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.canada.ca%2Fen%2Fpublic-health%2Fservices%2Fdiseases%2F2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html&data=04%7C01%7CBlaine.Higgs%40gnb.ca%7C0136b42c4b0a43c7736e08d8c6c63f14%7Ce08b7eefb5014a679ed007e38bfccee7%7C0%7C0%7C637477902044022246%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=HgRaSAAAHGAGc1FpMHeBhbY2ITqbgnjB%2BRwSDLc4pBc%3D&reserved=0>
>>  information line  1-833-784-4397.
>>
>>
>> Safety Issues
>> For safety issues regarding place of employment/employer please call
>> WorkSafe NB 1-800-999-9775.
>>
>> Compassionate requests
>> Please call the Canadian Red Cross 1-800-863-6582.
>>
>> Non-health questions
>> Please call 1-844-462-8387. The email address is
>> helpaide@gnb.ca<mailto:helpaide@gnb.ca>.
>> For questions related to travel restrictions during COVID-19
>> Please call 1-833-948-2800.
>>
>>
>> MENTAL HEALTH
>> CHIMO Helpline 1-800-667-5005
>> Hope for Wellness Helpline 1-855-242-3310
>>
>> Canadian Border Services Agency
>> CBSA has instituted a COVID-19 hotline regarding border crossing
>> concerns/questions at
>> 1-800-461-9999.
>>
>> Employment Insurance Hotline
>> Please call 1-833-381-2725.
>>
>>
>> Renseignements généraux
>> Pour obtenir des renseignements généraux et des réponses aux questions
>> les plus fréquentes sur la COVID-19, veuillez consulter le site
>> GNB/COVID-19<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.gnb.ca%2Fcontent%2Fgnb%2Ffr%2Fcorporate%2Fpromo%2Fcovid-19.html&data=04%7C01%7CBlaine.Higgs%40gnb.ca%7C0136b42c4b0a43c7736e08d8c6c63f14%7Ce08b7eefb5014a679ed007e38bfccee7%7C0%7C0%7C637477902044022246%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=26VhE3DgZhYd1yDaBFGgqHI6ivyF9o%2F6%2ByymkoP9ubo%3D&reserved=0>
>> ou
>> Canada.ca/coronavirus<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.canada.ca%2Ffr%2Fsante-publique%2Fservices%2Fmaladies%2F2019-nouveau-coronavirus.html&data=04%7C01%7CBlaine.Higgs%40gnb.ca%7C0136b42c4b0a43c7736e08d8c6c63f14%7Ce08b7eefb5014a679ed007e38bfccee7%7C0%7C0%7C637477902044032242%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=77IrMQEwU2uBR9l3gMEYpY9xtWjSSfXBGgIMU9PsPig%3D&reserved=0>
>> ou composer le 1-833-784-4397.
>>
>> questions de sécurité
>> Pour les questions de sécurité concernant les lieux de travail ou les
>> employeurs, communiquez avec Travail sécuritaire NB au 1-800-999-9775.
>>
>> DEMANDES POUR RAISONS DE COMPASSION
>> Veuillez téléphoner à la Croix-Rouge canadienne au 1-800-863-6582.
>>
>> Questions non liées à la santé
>> Veuillez composer le 1-844-462-8387 ou envoyer un courriel à l’adresse
>> helpaide@gnb.ca<mailto:helpaide@gnb.ca>.
>>
>> Questions liées aux restrictions de voyage pendant la pandémie de
>> COVID-19
>> :
>> Composez le 1-833-948-2800.
>>
>> SANTÉ MENTALE
>> Ligne d'aide CHIMO : 1-800-667-5005
>> Ligne d’écoute d’espoir : 1-855-242-3310
>>
>> Agence des services frontaliers du Canada
>> L’Agence a mis en place une ligne d’information sur la COVID-19 pour
>> les questions concernant la traversée de la frontière, le
>> 1-800-461-9999.
>>
>> LIGNE D’INFORMATION SUR l'assurance-emploi
>> Composez le 1-833-381-2725.
>>
>>
>> Office of the Premier/Cabinet du premier ministre
>> P.O Box/C. P. 6000 Fredericton New-Brunswick/Nouveau-Brunswick E3B 5H1
>> Canada
>> Tel./Tel. : (506) 453-2144
>> Email/Courriel:
>> premier@gnb.ca/premier.ministre@gnb.ca<mailto:premier@gnb.ca/premier.ministre@gnb.ca>
>>
>>
>>
>> ---------- Original message ----------
>> From: "Russell, David (DTI/MTI)"<David.Russell@gnb.ca>
>> Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2021 19:20:34 +0000
>> Subject: Automatic reply: Filing of Motion from NB Power in relation
>> to the Board's Decision of August 4, 2020 Methinks Mr Petrie should
>> have done his homework N'esy Pas Higgy?
>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>
>> I will be out of the office until Monday, May 3rd, 2021.  I will reply
>> to your message at that time.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> David Russell
>>
>>
>> ---------- Original message ----------
>> From: Gerald Bourque <kisspartyofnb@gmail.com>
>> Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2021 16:23:40 -0300
>> Subject: Re: Filing of Motion from NB Power in relation to the Board's
>> Decision of August 4, 2020 Methinks Mr Petrie should have done his
>> homework N'esy Pas Higgy?
>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>> Cc: NBP Regulatory <NBPRegulatory@nbpower.com>, "Mike.Comeau"
>> <Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca>, "hugh.flemming"<hugh.flemming@gnb.ca>, premier
>> <premier@gnb.ca>, "blaine.higgs"<blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, "Holland, Mike
>> (LEG)"<mike.holland@gnb.ca>, "Mitchell, Kathleen"
>> <Kathleen.Mitchell@nbeub.ca>, "louis-philippe.gauthier@cfib.ca"
>> <louis-philippe.gauthier@cfib.ca>, "david.sollows@gnb.ca"
>> <david.sollows@gnb.ca>, "david.russell@gnb.ca"<david.russell@gnb.ca>,
>> "Gilles.volpe@libertyutilities.com"
>> <Gilles.volpe@libertyutilities.com>, "Paul.Volpe@libertyutilities.com"
>> <Paul.Volpe@libertyutilities.com>, "dave.lavigne@libertyutilities.com"
>> <dave.lavigne@libertyutilities.com>, "Hoyt, Len"
>> <len.hoyt@mcinnescooper.com>, "jeffery.callaghan@mcinnescooper.com"
>> <jeffery.callaghan@mcinnescooper.com>, "rzarumba@ceadvisors.com"
>> <rzarumba@ceadvisors.com>, "gerald@kissnb.com"<gerald@kissnb.com>,
>> "cstewart@stewartmckelvey.com"<cstewart@stewartmckelvey.com>,
>> "hanrahan.dion@jdirving.com"<hanrahan.dion@jdirving.com>, "Russell,
>> Stephen"<SRussell@nbpower.com>, "Harrison, Wanda"
>> <WHarrison@nbpower.com>, "Waycott, Stephen"<SWaycott@nbpower.com>,
>> "Crawford, Brad"<BCrawford@nbpower.com>, "Porter, George"
>> <George.Porter@nbpower.com>, NBEUB/CESPNB <General@nbeub.ca>, "Dickie,
>> Michael"<Michael.Dickie@nbeub.ca>, "Lawton, John"
>> <John.Lawton@nbeub.ca>, "Young, Dave"<Dave.Young@nbeub.ca>,
>> "Ahmad.Faruqui@brattle.com"<Ahmad.Faruqui@brattle.com>,
>> "Cecile.Bourbonnais@brattle.com"<Cecile.Bourbonnais@brattle.com>,
>> "heather.black@gnb.ca"<heather.black@gnb.ca>, "rdk@indecon.com"
>> <rdk@indecon.com>, "rrichard@nb.aibn.com"<rrichard@nb.aibn.com>,
>> "sussexsharingclub@nb.aibn.com"<sussexsharingclub@nb.aibn.com>,
>> "margot.cragg@umnb.ca"<margot.cragg@umnb.ca>,
>> "jeff.garrett@sjenergy.com"<jeff.garrett@sjenergy.com>,
>> "dan.dionne@perth-andover.com"<dan.dionne@perth-andover.com>,
>> "pierreroy@edmundston.ca"<pierreroy@edmundston.ca>,
>> "ray.robinson@sjenergy.com"<ray.robinson@sjenergy.com>,
>> "sstoll@airdberlis.com"<sstoll@airdberlis.com>,
>> "pzarnett@bdrenergy.com"<pzarnett@bdrenergy.com>,
>> "leducjr@nb.sympatico.ca"<leducjr@nb.sympatico.ca>, "Furey, John"
>> <john.furey@mcinnescooper.com>, "Petrie, Jamie"<JPetrie@nbpower.com>
>>
>> Received, thank you.
>>
>>
>>


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2023 14:15:28 -0300
Subject: Re: Detailed Agenda - Technical Conference for Matter 529, NB
Power Rate Design Who Is Mr FUREY to mute me?
To: NB Power Rate Design <NBPowerRateDesign@nbpower.com>
Cc: "ceo@fermenbfarm.ca"<ceo@fermenbfarm.ca>,
"louis-philippe.gauthier@cfib.ca"<louis-philippe.gauthier@cfib.ca>,
"frederic.gionet@cfib.ca"<frederic.gionet@cfib.ca>,
"Ron.marcolin@cme-mec.ca"<Ron.marcolin@cme-mec.ca>,
"david.sollows@gnb.ca"<david.sollows@gnb.ca>,
"hanrahan.dion@jdirving.com"<hanrahan.dion@jdirving.com>,
"nrubin@stewartmckelvey.com"<nrubin@stewartmckelvey.com>,
"coneil@stewartmckelvey.com"<coneil@stewartmckelvey.com>,
"lmclements@stewartmckelvey.com"<lmclements@stewartmckelvey.com>,
"pbowman@bowmaneconomics.ca"<pbowman@bowmaneconomics.ca>,
"brudderham@stewartmckelvey.com"<brudderham@stewartmckelvey.com>,
"JohnFurey@fureylegal.com"<JohnFurey@fureylegal.com>, "Petrie, Jamie"
<JPetrie@nbpower.com>, NBP Regulatory <NBPRegulatory@nbpower.com>,
"Gordon, Laura"<LGordon@nbpower.com>, "Waycott, Stephen"
<SWaycott@nbpower.com>, "Porter, George"<George.Porter@nbpower.com>,
"Crawford, Brad"<BCrawford@nbpower.com>, Veronique Otis
<Veronique.Otis@nbeub.ca>, "Young, Dave"<Dave.Young@nbeub.ca>,
"Aherrington@lawsoncreamer.com"<Aherrington@lawsoncreamer.com>,
"Mitchell, Kathleen"<Kathleen.Mitchell@nbeub.ca>, NBEUB/CESPNB
<General@nbeub.ca>, "Colwell, Susan"<Susan.Colwell@nbeub.ca>,
"bhavumaki@synapse-energy.com"<bhavumaki@synapse-energy.com>,
"mwhited@synapse-energy.com"<mwhited@synapse-energy.com>,
"prhodes@synapse-energy.com"<prhodes@synapse-energy.com>,
"alawton@synapse-energy.com"<alawton@synapse-energy.com>,
"jwilson@resourceinsight.com"<jwilson@resourceinsight.com>,
"pchernick@resourceinsight.com"<pchernick@resourceinsight.com>,
Melissa Curran <Melissa.Curran@nbeub.ca>, "richard.williams@gnb.ca"
<richard.williams@gnb.ca>, "rdk@indecon.com"<rdk@indecon.com>,
"tammy.grieve@mcinnescooper.com"<tammy.grieve@mcinnescooper.com>,
"paul.black@twinriverspaper.com"<paul.black@twinriverspaper.com>,
"Hoyt, Len"<len.hoyt@mcinnescooper.com>,
"tyler.rajeski@twinriverspaper.com"
<tyler.rajeski@twinriverspaper.com>,
"darcy.ouellette@twinriverspaper.com"
<darcy.ouellette@twinriverspaper.com>, "dan.murphy@umnb.ca"
<dan.murphy@umnb.ca>, "jeff.garrett@sjenergy.com"
<jeff.garrett@sjenergy.com>, "shelley.wood@sjenergy.com"
<shelley.wood@sjenergy.com>, "dan.dionne@perth-andover.com"
<dan.dionne@perth-andover.com>, "pierreroy@edmundston.ca"
<pierreroy@edmundston.ca>, "ryan.mitchell@sjenergy.com"
<ryan.mitchell@sjenergy.com>, "sstoll@stollprofcorp.com"
<sstoll@stollprofcorp.com>, "pzarnett@bdrenergy.com"
<pzarnett@bdrenergy.com>, "ablair@elenchus.ca"<ablair@elenchus.ca>,
"brchapman@caenergy.com"<brchapman@caenergy.com>, "McKay, Pam"
<PMcKay@nbpower.com>, Dan Dionne <dan@vilsv.ca>, "Roy, Pierre"
<pierre.roy@edmundston.ca>, "Gibson, Kevin"<KevGibson@nbpower.com>,
HO CR - HO 4 Board Room <hocrho4boardroom@nbpower.com>, "Murray,
Carol"<CaMurray@nbpower.com>, "Goddard, Rosmary"
<RGoddard@nbpower.com>, "Stevenson, Veronique Janie"
<VStevenson@nbpower.com>, "Meng, Ryan John"<RMeng@nbpower.com>,
"Murray, Leanne"<LMurray@nbpower.com>

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↧

LNG plant cancellation could kill premier's shale gas ambitions, says energy insider

March 18, 2023, 3:26 pm
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LNG plant cancellation could kill premier's shale gas ambitions, says energy insider

Repsol’s decision cuts off most lucrative export route for New Brunswick gas

 
Jacques Poitras· CBC News ·
Spanish energy company Repsol says it won't be expanding its Saint John LNG terminal to export liquefied natural gas to Europe. The decision cuts off the most lucrative possible outlet for the sale of gas extracted in the province, according to both energy insiders and environmentalists. (CBC) 
 
The decision to not build a liquefied natural gas export terminal in Saint John may also spell the end of Premier Blaine Higgs's long-held ambition of reviving shale gas development in New Brunswick.

Repsol's decision, announced Thursday, cuts off the most lucrative possible outlet for the sale of gas extracted in the province, according to both energy insiders and environmentalists. 

"It would not be good news, for sure," said Todd McDonald, president of the Halifax-based gas trading firm Energy Atlantica. "It would have given a lot of motivation to develop shale gas because you had an instant [European] market with access to high prices.

"I don't want to say it kills it, but it's not good."

A man wearing a grey blazer standing in front of a white background Todd McDonald, president of the Halifax-based gas trading firm Energy Atlantica, said gas from New Brunswick could still be sold into the United States via pipeline, but because of plentiful gas supplies there, the price might not be high enough to justify the cost of development. (Energy Atlantica)

Gas from New Brunswick could still be sold into the United States via pipeline, McDonald said, but because of plentiful gas supplies there, the price might not be high enough to justify the cost of development.

"There's still a market for it and it's economic, but it's not as good," he said. "It's not terrible … but it's not anything people are going to move heaven and earth for."

Higgs has long championed shale gas development and was part of a government that aggressively promoted the sector and saw confrontations between protesters and police near Rexton in 2013.

His rhetoric ramped up again after the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, when Europe faced the loss of natural gas supplies from Russia. 

Gas extracted in New Brunswick was a "possible solution," for Europe, Higgs said then, because it would be cheaper to ship from a Saint John export terminal than Western Canadian gas travelling by pipeline all the way to the facility.

Louise Comeau of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick said that combination was never realistic.

"These were ideas that the premier put on the table as options that he thought, 'if we could combine them, could we get an outcome that would work?' They never were going to work."

Higgs brushed off those takes on Friday, telling reporters a provincial gas industry could still be viable "in order to meet our own needs and those of allies in Europe," though he didn't explain how the gas would get to Europe without Repsol's terminal.

He also said developing more natural gas for the local or regional market would provide an alternate energy source that would allow both NB Power and Nova Scotia to shut down coal-generated power plants in time for a 2030 federal deadline. 

"It's not about me saying 'why don't we use more gas?'" Higgs said.

"We have a solution here in New Brunswick, and I guess do we choose to take it or not? That's the challenge we have."

McDonald and Comeau agreed on Friday that the Repsol terminal itself was always a difficult business proposition.

A portrait of a man with grey hair and glasses, wearing a trench coat, speaking. Premier Blaine Higgs Higgs attempted Friday afternoon to define Repsol's decision as a narrow one, prompted only by the pipeline tolls. (Radio-Canada)

After the war in Ukraine broke out, Canadian business and political leaders, including Higgs, trumpeted the idea of arranging for LNG gas exports to Europe to replace what Russia had been supplying.

The scenario assumed that a war-induced spike in gas prices would continue, driven by scarce supplies and a cold European winter pushing up consumption. 

It also assumed those two circumstances would last long enough for the terminal to get up and running quickly, and be profitable for years to come.

But that's not what happened.

"The economics don't work anymore," McDonald said.

Europe restarted some coal and nuclear plants, began shifting more quickly to renewables and instituted energy efficiency measures that allowed it to avoid a gas shortage.

It also lucked out with record high temperatures over the winter.

"It was insanely warm in Europe, and that bought them time to come up with alternatives," McDonald said.

The International Energy Agency said last July that rather than making LNG more attractive, the war had damaged gas's reputation as a reliable and affordable energy source, leading to "a considerable downward revision" of prospects for future demand.

In December, the agency said Europe had made "significant progress" in reducing dependence on Russian supplies and on finding alternatives.

The lower-than-expected demand helped return the price of gas in Europe to prewar levels.

The price per gigajoule leapt from $13 US. before the invasion to $110 afterward — but it has since dropped to $11, McDonald said. 

That would have forced Repsol to ask itself whether it would ever see a return on the money and time it would have to commit to expanding its Saint John terminal for exports.

"It takes billions of dollars and a minimum of three to five years to do it," McDonald.

A head-and-shoulders shot of a woman wearing black-rimmed glasses and a red shirt. The Conservation Council's Louise Comeau said Higgs’s fixation on LNG has distracted his government from looking at other energy options such as renewable power. (Rachel Cave/CBC)

"The only way the project would have gone forward would have been, say six months ago, if Germany said, 'we will take on all that risk and we'll sign a 20-year agreement at $40, which assures you that your project is economic."

Comeau said Higgs's fixation on LNG has distracted his government from looking at other energy options such as renewable power.

"I really do think that the focus on the Saint John LNG option as an export facility was really an idea that was more in the premier's mind than it was in the company's mind," she said.

"I think it's been clear from the beginning that the economic case was weak or non-existent." 

Repsol said Thursday it was scrapping its plans because it would have cost too much to ship gas from Western Canada through pipelines to the terminal.

"Following a study carried out by the company, it was determined to not continue with the Saint John liquefaction project as the tolls associated to it made it uneconomical," said spokesperson Michael Blackier.

Higgs attempted Friday afternoon to define Repsol's decision as a narrow one, prompted only by the pipeline tolls.

"The tolling fees were just too high and they were very clear that that's why the project was not viable," he said. 

"Repsol didn't walk away from the project because they didn't have a market. They walked away from the project because they didn't have a gas supply." 

But McDonald said it's impossible to ignore the broader market realities. 

Those pipeline tolls would not have been prohibitively expensive for Repsol if Europe were going through an extremely cold winter, or if a spike in natural gas prices at the start of the Ukraine war was still happening, he said.

"If you and I were having this conversation, and let's say it had been the coldest winter in 500 years, you and I would be talking about how Repsol has approved this project and signed a contract with some countries in Europe."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Jacques Poitras

Provincial Affairs reporter

Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in Ottawa for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on every New Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and Amnesty International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books about New Brunswick politics and history.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
76 Comments
 
 
 
David Amos
Why is that I don't feel bad about Higgy's frustration?  
 
 
 
 
Matt Steele  
Just another hit piece by JP aimed at Higgs . Premier Higgs would gain nothing personally from LNG other than creating decent paying jobs for N.B.ers as Higgs already has a good pension coming in from his career in the private sector , and will have another good pension from his time in government ; so he certainly would not gain financially from LNG . I wonder if the same can be said of other career politicians who have spent their whole lives trying to feed from the taxpayer funded trough .
 
 
Lou Bell
Reply to Matt Steele  
Actually , 1200 CBC employees received a total of 16 million dollars in bonuses last year , courtesy of the Liberals . And one wonders why such left leaning speculations !
 
 
Don Corey
Reply to Lou Bell 
And almost 1000 of those employees are raking in $100,000+/year. Left leaning activism obviously is paying quite well.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mike Barkman 
I lived in Stoney Creek NB with my sister in 1987. Shell was fracking next door to us at the oil fields which bordered our property. Our well became contaminated and we had to place several water filters on our water. Even with the filters you could smell sulfur when we ran the tap. We had to wash the clothes at a laundromat in Riverview so they wouldn't smell. We couldn't let the dogs run in the backyard because an oily substance was seeping out of the ground.

Shale gas huh? His dream is it?

Oh I didn't mention that my brother in law received a transfer to Campbellton and they needed to sell the house. Their lawyer found a right of way on their property for Irving oil from the late 1940s. It was brought to Irving's attention and they promptly seized the property. My sister had to declare bankruptcy over it. This is something that is pretty hard to not hold a grudge against an oligarchy.

So shale gas is his dream eh? At what cost is your dream Blaine? Mine is just one story out of many I would assume.

 
Sam Smithers 
Reply to Mike Barkman  
A little research tells us fracking has come a long ways since 1987, which is why many places have done it without issue.  
 
 
G. Timothy Walton
Reply to Sam Smithers  
A little research finds accounts of authorities refusing to acknowledge issues that have occurred. 
 
 
Sam Smithers
Reply to G. Timothy Walton
A current example would be? 
 
 
G. Timothy Walton
Reply to Sam Smithers  
More current than 1987? Easy enough.

Forbes: "EPA Fracking Report Deliberately Ignores Key Studies To Embrace Inconclusive Results" ( https://www.forbes.com/sites/wlf/2016/12/23/epa-fracking-report-deliberately-ignores-key-studies-to-embrace-inconclusive-results/)

Canadian Lawyer: "Canada’s fractured view of fracking" ( https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/general/canadas-fractured-view-of-fracking/269278)  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Mike Barkman 
Sorry to hear of your family's troubles and as you well know they are not alone. I blame the lawyers and the politicians for assisting in the obvious malice.

BTW I do hold grudges.

 
Sam Smithers
Reply to G. Timothy Walton
Neither one of your links even had articles. I would think if fracking is all bad there would be a number of very current articles proving it. 
 
 
G. Timothy Walton
Reply to Sam Smithers 
And if I went to the effort of winnowing through hundreds of Google hits to find exactly the right things you'd change direction and demand something else that takes significant time to satisfy, after which you'd demand something else... I've seen that playbook in action.  
 
 
 
 
↧

People lost a lot in post-tropical storm Fiona, but Norm Hinks lost the most

March 19, 2023, 10:10 am
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People lost a lot in post-tropical storm Fiona, but Norm Hinks lost the most

After storm hit last fall, Port aux Basques senior found himself without his partner

 
Caroline Hillier· CBC Radio ·
Norm Hinks, 73, lost his partner, his home and most of his possessions when post-tropical storm Fiona ripped through Port aux Basques, N.L., six months ago, on Sept. 24, 2022. He is living in temporary accommodations for seniors and still waiting for financial compensation from the province. (Caroline Hillier/CBC)
 
When Norm Hinks was 16, he gave his girlfriend, Thelma Leamon, a present: a pocket knife and a lucky rabbit's paw.

They split up shortly after — like most high school sweethearts do.

Thirty-five years later, Hinks and Leamon rekindled their love. When they moved in together in Port aux Basques, N.L., Thelma still had the pocket knife and rabbit's paw.

In the 23 years that followed, the couple made up for lost time and were seldom apart.

Now, in his temporary accommodations at a one-bedroom cottage for seniors, Hinks peels carrots and turnips destined for the rabbit stew bubbling away on the stove.

"We don't get sick or colds because we eat fairly healthy," Hinks said, before pausing and adding, "I say we, but it's only me now."

A man holds a knife and is cutting carrots. There's a pile of carrot and turnip peels on the table wooden cutting board. Hinks chops carrots and turnips for a stew. He enjoys cooking and is getting used to cooking for one since Fiona took his home and his partner, Thelma Leamon. (Caroline Hillier/CBC)

A green camouflage couch sits in the living room, and a muted TV plays a reality show about hunting.

As if there were any doubt, Hinks declares he's a "hunting fanatic," and adds that he had the best hunting partner in Leamon.

She didn't like to take selfies. But on their last moose hunting trip, Leamon was unusually enthusiastic to take one while sitting on their all-terrain vehicle.

"So I took the picture, and she said, 'Let me look at it,'" Hinks said. "And she said, 'Oh, we gotta smile. Take another.'"

A man and a woman smile at the camera. They're wearing helmets and the woman is wearing an orange safety vest and an orange hat. Hinks, front, and Leamon are shown in a selfie photo that hangs on the wall of his one-bedroom seniors' residence The photo was taken three days before Leamon lost her life in the storm. (Caroline Hillier/CBC)

That photo — taken on a Wednesday — is the only thing hanging on Hinks's walls.

Leamon, 73, died three days later — on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022 — when post-tropical storm Fiona violently ripped through the southwest coast of Newfoundland, bringing significant damage, lost homes, flooding and washed-out roads. Port aux Basques declared a state of emergency.

The body of Leamon, a grandmother, was found on Sunday. She was the only person in Newfoundland and Labrador who lost their life in the storm.

'Never be another one like her'

Hinks, 73, takes a deep sigh and shakes his head a little when he thinks back to that day.

"I miss her so much," he said. "There will never be another one like her."

On the day the storm hit, the couple prepared to leave the house when the water from Fiona started to rise and cover parts of their patio.

"I said, 'Come on.' I said, 'We gotta get out of here,'" Hinks said.

The side of a house is collapsed after a storm in a neighbourhood. One side of a house in Port aux Basques collapsed while the other side remains standing after Fiona pummelled the town last September. Sea levels rose by over a metre, seemingly in an instant, from heavy winds and a storm surge. (Yan Theoret/CBC)

Leamon then told him to move his boat. "I'll be fine," she said.

Hinks left the house to move his boat, just as a violent wave crashed over the property, carrying sheds and parts of the house away. Leamon was still inside, and he raced back.

"Hollering out her name and nothing, and we could stand up in the porch and look down in the basement through the living room, and all was there was gravel and the cement wall."

Much of what followed was a blur. Leamon's body was found the next day.

Hinks — like everyone in Port aux Basques — has seen raging seas and roaring winds before. But no one was prepared for the devastation Fiona brought.

"If it came throughout the night, you wouldn't be talking to me, and a good many more," he said.

LISTEN | 6 months after Fiona, the people of Port aux Basques are still recovering:
 
What On Earth 29:16 
Sea change in Port aux Basques Newfoundland

Waiting for promised compensation

When journalists arrived in Port aux Basques in the days after Fiona, many asked Hinks and his family to do interviews, but he declined.

Six months later, he's not entirely sure why he agreed to talk, but he says he felt it was time. Perhaps it's because he's still waiting on promised financial compensation from the province and isn't satisfied with how long it's taking.

Their home was in Leamon's name and she didn't have a will, so getting compensation has been a lengthy and complicated process. 

Extensive damage to homes after a storm. This aerial drone photo shows extensive damage to homes in Port aux Basques on Sept. 26, 2022, two days after the storm struck the community. (Yan Theoret/CBC)

Hinks says he's disappointed in the government officials, including Premier Andrew Furey, who came after the storm and reassured him he'd receive financial compensation. 

"They patted me on the arm, said, 'You're going to be looked after, don't worry about it, you're in good hands, I promise you,'" he said.

Hinks says he believed them then, but now he's starting to lose hope.

"And I haven't heard a word from either one of them since," he said. "I think about all those promises, and nothing done."

$14 million in government payments

Hinks's home is one of 102 homes in the town considered a total loss.

"Significant progress has been made in terms of adjuster and contractor site visits," the province's Department of Justice and Public Safety said in a statement.

It confirmed that almost $14 million has been paid to 34 property owners.

The government said that the "majority of homes considered a total loss have been visited by an adjuster and contractor; assessments have also been completed on many homes that require repairs only."

"Government has also been providing funding for temporary accommodations to anyone displaced as a result of hurricane Fiona."

Cash, belongings washed away in storm

Hinks filled out an eight-page list of belongings he lost in Fiona, and every day he recalls more things, like a dremel tool.

The grandfather had many hobbies — writing, photography, woodworking and gunsmithing, to name a few.

There were expensive things on the list, including boats, guns, tools and a CPAP machine Hinks uses to help him sleep, as well as a desktop computer with a file that held the beginnings of a book he was writing.

Two men sit in chairs, one looks at the other with a smile. Both have walking canes. Hinks, left, chats with his friend and cousin, Huey Osmond, who recently lost his wife to cancer. The two keep each other company. (Caroline Hillier/CBC )

"Thelma was going to go in and correct the punctuation and do it all for me, but we never got down to that."

She had even picked the name of the book: Adventures With Norm. He has plans to write that book, for her. 

Hinks also lost his life savings: $35,000 in cash. They had recently taken it out of the bank and were on waiting lists at both local banks to get a safety deposit box.

Some of the cash washed onto the shore, and after word got out that it belonged to Hinks, many of the locals picked it up and brought it to him. About $3,000 was recovered.

Then there are the things that are irreplaceable: 10-year-old handwritten diaries, hunting log books, photos and the pocket knife and rabbit's paw.

While nothing will be able to console Hinks over the loss of Leamon, he says getting back a sliver of his old life and surroundings would do him a world of good.

Homes located beside the ocean are heavily damaged by a storm. Homes left exposed and tattered from Fiona sit on the rocky shoreline in Port aux Basques. The provincial government says almost $14 million has been paid to 34 property owners. In all, 102 homes in the town are considered a total loss. (Troy Turner/CBC)

What he'd like the most, even more than his home, is his shed: a messy spot with a wood stove and a lifetime of tools.

For a man who spent most of his time outdoors, being cooped up in an apartment near the main drag isn't doing much for Hinks's mental and physical health: "I'm on two kinds of pills for PTSD. I take sleeping pills," he said.

Hinks spends a lot of time in a recliner by the window, and he says getting financial compensation would allow him to rebuild: literally and figuratively.

"I don't want to give up, but it's like they want me to."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Caroline Hillier

CBC News

Caroline Hillier is the producer of the St. John's Morning Show.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
 
276 Comments
 
 
 
David Amos
Methinks Mr Furey will remember the plight of Mr Hinks now EH?  
 
 
sally rohde 
Reply to David Amos  
Let's Bloody Well Hope So!!!   
 
 
 
 
 
Dunstan MacDonald
Hopefully the NL Gov't steps up and does what right for Mr. Hinks and soon. Condolonances on loss of your long time partner.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Dunstan MacDonald 
Now that CBC has put spotlight on his plight Furey would very dumb to forget his promise to Mr Hinks 
 
 
 
 
 
Del Harris
It sounds like they weren't married, in which case, unfortunately, it's going to be difficult, if not impossible, for him to receive compensation from the house that was in her name. This is why marriage is "more than a piece of paper". I feel for this poor man. Fiona was horrendous.  
 
 
Sam Carson 
Reply to Del Harris 
Many years ago before we married and lived in sin, we filled out wills so if something happened to either of us the other would be protected. Also I would never go without house insurance, even when I rented.  
 
 
David Amos

Reply to Del Harris  
Methinks many men can tell you stories about allowing a lady to live with them for over 30 days and when they broke up the woman went after the poor dude's home What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander N'esy Pas? 
 

Lynn Gibson 
Good luck with that play. I know of many guys who live with women to go incognito re taxes, debts, enumeration and who knows what else.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Lynn Gibson 
What makes you think I need any luck playing the wicked game with lawyers?  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dennis Woodman
This should be a wake up call for anyone that doesn’t have a will. You can even do one online if you don’t want to go to a lawyer.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Dennis Woodman 
Methinks many folks would agree that it is not wise to trust a lawyer N'esy Pas? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dennis Woodman 
Why would you take 35,000 out of the bank, and leave it in your house ? 
 
  
Sam Carson
Reply to Dennis Woodman
I wondered the same thing. Why put it in a safety deposit box? 
 
 
Devon Morris 
Reply to Sam Carson 
simple answer:

"Hinks also lost his life savings: $35,000 in cash. They had recently taken it out of the bank and were on waiting lists at both local banks to get a safety deposit box."

$35k is alot to have onhand - but most I know keep $10-15k cash as home....

 
Sam Carson 
Reply to Devon Morris 
Why not just keep it in a bank till you transfer it? I would not risk it. The most I keep is $150.00. He may have a hart time proving that.  
 
 
Devon Morris 
Reply to Sam Carson 
I am guessing (but no details in story) that he was put in a position to have to change banks...

I am not like you - I keep cash on hand (and also when I travel for work) and also would be at a loss if something happened to my residence. He will be in tough spot to prove he had that - as would I if my house was a loss tonite. 

 
David Amos
Reply to Sam Carson
Cash is King 
 
 
Devon Morris  
Reply to David Amos 
And chaos crates cash - you always have to have cash on hand.... 
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Devon Morris 
Furthermore the CRA and Trudeau's Emergency Act should make anyone wary of Banksters  
 
 
Devon Morris  
Reply to David Amos
This past week wasnt very an exercise in confidence building in the markets...  
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Devon Morris   
Check my work from 20 years ago  
 
 
Sam Carson  
Reply to David Amos
I agree, but would not keep my life savings at home.  
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Devon Morris 
FYI I dealt with both of these Banks 20 years ago

UBS will acquire Credit Suisse in deal worth billions

Deal is an effort to avoid further market-shaking turmoil in global banking

The Associated Press · Posted: Mar 19, 2023 3:29 PM ADT

 
 

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Search

Older spouses struggle to care for loved ones with dementia

March 19, 2023, 10:40 am
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Older spouses struggle to care for loved ones with dementia

Just over a third of seniors aged 65 and older provide care for a spouse or partner, Statscan says

 
Mariam Mesbah· CBC News ·
Frances and Russ Kellogg have been married for 34 years. Russ is now his wife's caregiver, after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. (Mariam Mesbah/CBC)
 
It's been nearly four years since Russ Kellogg's wife, Frances, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Since then he's been caring for her on a full-time basis at their home in Estey's Bridge, a rural community 18 kilometres north of Fredericton. 

The retired couple, who are both 69, were once socially active members of their local curling club and bowling league. They enjoyed hosting friends and snowshoeing in their back woods. 

Now, the disease has progressed to the point that Frances doesn't always recognize her husband, and she can't be left alone. Except for a weekly Monday morning grocery run, the couple spend all of their time at home. 

"I get up, get her dressed and we get our coffee and our morning pills," Kellogg said of his wife of 34 years. 

"I do the laundry, the cooking, the cleaning, as best I can. I clean the kitty litter box. In the summertime, it's mow the grass." 

An older man in a red T-shirt makes french toast on a griddle. Kellogg is committed to keeping his wife at home for as long as he can, but admits even just a little bit of help would make his role as full-time caregiver less stressful and less lonely. (Mariam Mesbah/CBC)

Kellogg knows that caring for Frances at home has been good for her, but he admits it's taken a toll on his well being. He barely sleeps more than five hours a night and he's lost 25 pounds in the last year.

His experience is similar to the growing numbers of seniors across the country who are full-time caregivers of a spouse or partner. According to Statistics Canada, just over a third of seniors aged 65 and older provide care for a spouse or partner. The number jumps to half for those 85 and older.

Caregiving can come with additional challenges for those who are seniors. Some are dealing with their own health issues. Others live on fixed incomes and then find themselves responsible for all aspects of care of a spouse or partner — grooming, nutrition, managing medications and appointments, household chores and emotional support. 

The loneliness of caregiving

Along with the day-to-day responsibilities, Kellogg said isolation is one of the hardest things to deal with. Except for a weekly visit from his wife's niece, Jennifer Archibald, who gives him a break for a few hours, he is on his own. 

Visits from friends have become more infrequent, and as a couple he and Frances can no longer enjoy the outdoor activities they once used to do. 

"We had bought snowshoes and I like to snowshoe in the woods," he said. "Can't do that now. I have a four-wheeler and we can't just hop on that and head for the trails. 

"We used to have fun. Can't have fun anymore. It's just not there." 

A man in a grey suit and a woman in a pink dress smile into the camera, while she holds a red rose.     A wedding picture of Russ and Frances Kellogg, taken after their wedding on Nov. 12,1988. (Submitted by Russ Kellogg)

Kellogg knows support is available, but finds navigating it confusing and time-consuming. Another issue is the availability of programs like respite care as there is a shortage of home-care workers in New Brunswick and across the country.

 All of this has left him feeling alone and mentally exhausted.

"Literally one day here, I don't know, I was having a particularly bad day," he said. "I just sat down in this chair and I bet you I bawled my eyes out for a half an hour, and she couldn't understand why … She's just not there anymore." 

Janet Fast researches policy and programs around aging at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. She calls caregivers such as Russ Kellogg the unacknowledged heroes of the health-care system. They provide millions of unpaid hours to care for loved ones, she said, which keeps them out of the system. 

Fast is calling on governments to do more by enabling more unpaid caregivers to qualify for subsidized home-care programs. Changing income eligibility requirements for these programs, she believes, would help ease the stress, isolation and burnout many caregivers experience. 

"There needs to be a concerted effort to make sure we have enough high quality, affordable home care," she said. "It takes some politicians with both vision and empathy to commit to doing something concrete." 

The challenge of caregiving

Navigating care for a loved one includes more than managing the medical side of a diagnosis. It can include learning about the legal and financial processes that many caregivers find themselves having to take on. 

Across the country, the rules and requirements vary for what caregivers need to do to receive support for themselves and the person receiving care.

Some provinces, such as Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, have navigators whose job it is to help caregivers make sense of the health care and other systems. In New Brunswick, the province has a dementia navigation program run by the University of New Brunswick, Horizon Health Network, and St. Thomas University. For seniors whose loved ones don't have dementia, they are directed to Social Supports NB, which is an online resource. 

Chandra MacBean, executive director of the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick, said navigating care is one of the biggest stressors for the senior caregivers her organization works with. 

A woman with grey curly hair is standing outside in a black dress with small white dots. Chandra MacBean, of the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick, said caregivers often struggle to mamage the complex problems that come with the disease. (Submitted by Chandra MacBean)

Unfortunately, caregivers are not always given information early enough in the diagnosis of a loved one, she said. Then they struggle later to manage the complex problems that come with a progressive disease like dementia. 

"You don't know what you don't know," MacBean said. "That's not meant to sound dismissive or condescending, but it's an experience nobody's walked until they've walked it." 

For caregivers supporting a loved one with Alzheimer's, the organization has developed its own program called First Link. It helps to guide caregivers through the medical, legal and financial aspects of care. 

The cost of caregiving

Another stress that many face is the cost of care. According to research from the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, a national nonprofit that advocates for care providers, most unpaid caregivers average $5,000 a year in out-of-pocket costs. This might include costs for medication and medical services not covered by insurance. 

For seniors who are able to access respite care, it can cost from $25 to $50 an hour. Transportation costs can also add up for seniors who no longer drive, especially if they live in rural areas and travel to and from medical appointments. 

Then, there is the cost of long-term care. This is something Kellogg worries about. He knows that one day he will no longer be able to care for his wife at home. There are two nearby long-term care homes that could provide the care Frances needs, but the waiting lists are long and the costs are high. 

"We would be responsible for more than half of everything together in order to put her in a home," he said. 

A woman with brown hair and a grey sweatshirt sits on a chair in a living room and laughs. There are two nearby long-term care homes that could provide the care Frances needs, but the waiting lists are long and the costs are high, says Kellogg. (Mariam Mesbah/CBC)

Both he and Frances have military pensions. "They would take all of hers and half of mine in order to make it up. There are a lot of seniors out there that don't have the finances." 

The federal and provincial governments have financial programs for caregivers, but the support mostly comes in the form of non-refundable tax credits. This means there is only a real benefit if the caregiver is expecting to pay taxes. For caregivers on a fixed income, these kinds of tax credits are not always beneficial. 

Other benefit programs are designed to help caregivers who are employed. For example, there are employment insurance benefits for those needing to take time off work to care for a loved one. 

There are also government grants and benefits to retrofit a home to make it wheelchair accessible or for safety. They don't, however, always cover the full cost of repairs, leaving caregivers to pay for the rest. 

Monthly Caregiver Allowance 

In other places, such as France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Norway, monthly caregiving allowances are provided. Caregiving is seen as a job that works in tandem with the health-care system. 

In Canada, Nova Scotia is the only province that provides a monthly caregiver benefit at $400 a month. It is considered income and is taxable. 

Aging population means more senior caregivers

Atlantic Canada currently has the oldest population in the country. Nearly a quarter of the region's residents are over 65, compared to 15 per cent in the rest of the country. In the next two decades, Atlantic Canada will have the highest percentage of seniors aged 85 or older.

This shift is the result of a slowing population growth combined with a significantly longer life expectancy. And with an aging population comes the increased need for health care and caregiving support.

According to James Janeiro, director of policy and government relations with the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, the number of seniors who will find themselves as full-time caregivers to a spouse or loved one is expected to rise dramatically in the coming decade. 

He says if we expect unpaid caregivers to do the job that the health-care system cannot sustain, the attitude of policy makers needs to change. 

"For every hour of care delivered by the health-care system, caregivers are out there delivering three hours of care," he said. "This is not a favour. This is the bedrock on which our health-care system's ability to function actually rests." 

As for Kellogg, he is taking this role a day at a time. He remains committed to keeping his wife at home for as long as he can, but admits even just a little bit of help would make his role as full-time caregiver less stressful and less lonely.

"If I could just pick up the phone and say, 'I need somebody to look after her for the next three hours. Could you send someone?' But that doesn't happen," he said. 

"I can't be spontaneous. Everything now is totally regimented. I really hadn't envisioned this kind of retirement gig."

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
15 Comments
 
 
 
David Amos
Methinks many of the comments are telling me that the milk of human kindness is running pretty thin in New Brunswick these days N'esy Pas? 
 
↧
↧

Iraq 20 years after the invasion: How life is better and worse

March 19, 2023, 11:15 am
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Iraq 20 years after the invasion: How life is better and worse

Democratic elections are happening, but political elite are hampering change, say experts

 
Mark Gollom· CBC News ·
In this April 9, 2003 file photo, Iraqi civilians and U.S. soldiers pull down a statue of Saddam Hussein in downtown Baghdad, Iraq, April 9, 2003. When the WMDs never materialized in Iraq, the hope was that by ending Saddam's brutal dictatorship, Iraq would at least emerge as a new democracy. Twenty years later, however, the results, are decidedly mixed. (Jerome Delay/The Associated Press)
 
When the U.S.-led coalition invaded Iraq on Mar. 19, 2003, the stated goal was to seek out and destroy Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein.

But when those weapons never materialized, the hope was that by toppling Saddam and ending his brutal dictatorship, Iraq would at least emerge as a new democracy where Iraqis would enjoy new freedoms and significantly improved standard of living.

Twenty years later, however, the results, are decidedly mixed, say Iraqi experts, with gains coming at a huge expense. Estimates of war-related deaths vary but the Iraqi Body Count has estimated around 200,000 civilians killed following the invasion.

"Iraq is doing better than it was 20 years ago. But there's two caveats to that," said Hamzeh Hadad, an Iraqi Canadian and an adjunct fellow with the Middle East Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, in a telephone interview from Baghdad. "It's not up to where we want it to be or what. Many had their hopes up in 2003 at the removal of a dictator."

"And two, it came out of big cost. The price that was paid, was enormous."

A view from above of a young vendor carrying a bunch of pink cotton candy and balloons. Iraqis today are doing better than 20 years ago, based on a number of indicators, including the UN's Human Development Index. In 2003, Iraq was given a score of 0.579, where life expectancy was around 65.6 years. Now, its rating is 0.686 and life expectancy is at 70.4 years. Here, an aerial view shows a vendor selling cotton candy and balloons in Basra, Iraq, on March 2. (Hussein Faleh/AFP/Getty Images)

1 of 14

No time to breathe

Certainly before the invasion, Iraqis were being jailed, tortured and killed by Saddam's regime. And many Iraqis were dying because of the UN sanctions, Hadad said.

But "from the invasion, from the insurgencies, from the sectarian civil war, from fighting ISIS, there were so many lives lost," he said.

Hadad noted that with all that strife, Iraq hasn't had time to "really breathe."

"We're looking at the 20th anniversary of the war, but I think we haven't really been rebuilding up until the last four or five years. And even then, what happened in those four or five years, you had a global pandemic."

Still by a number of indicators, Iraqis today are doing better than 20 years ago. As far as democracy goes, since the 2003 invasion there have six elections, eight different governments and seven different prime ministers.

The Human Index Indicator is a metric compiled by the UN Development Programme  to quantify a country's "average achievement in three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, knowledge, and a decent standard of living."

Worshippers gather for Friday prayers in the Sadr City neighborhood of Baghdad, on Friday, March 3, 2023, nearly 20 years after the U.S. led invasion. Worshippers gather for Friday prayers in the Sadr City neighborhood of Baghdad, on March 3, 2023, nearly 20 years after the U.S.-led invasion. (Jerome Delay/The Associated Press)

In 2003, Iraq was given a score of 0.579, where life expectancy was around 65.9 years. Now its rating is 0.686 and life expectancy is at 70.4 years.

As well, according to UN figures, Iraq's GDP per capita in 2003 was $855. In 2021 it was $4,686. Luay al-Khatteeb, former minister of electricity of Iraq from 2018 to 2020, said electricity capacity has increased ten-fold since 2003. Meanwhile, oil production has roughly tripled, he said.

Still, observers say, many of those measures don't paint the full picture of Iraq and the significant challenges it still faces 20 years later.

Democracy in Iraq

"Democracy, free elections, federalism and market economy — all these things are complete radical changes to Iraq post regime change — most certainly a significant development from back in 2003," said Al-Khatteeb.

"I think there is a long way ahead of us in terms of establishing an accepted level of democracy. But again, this is part of the gradual progression of any state building post four decades of dictatorship and military rule."

Feisal Amin Rasoul al-Istrabadi, a former Iraqi diplomat, says it's praiseworthy that elections have gone off on time every time.

"We have not delayed elections," he said. "While I cannot tell you that the elections were as pure say as elections are in the Scandinavian countries, I can say the results were not known before the ballots were counted. And there were many surprises along the way. So we have had the peaceful transition of power."

Still, Freedom House, which annually rates the level of freedom of different states, categorized Iraq in 2023 as not free.

"Iraq holds regular, competitive elections, and the country's various partisan, religious, and ethnic groups generally enjoy representation in the political system," the Washington-based non-profit said in its report. "However, democratic governance is impeded in practice by corruption, militias operating outside the bounds of the law, and the weakness of formal institutions."

There is a nostalgia for Saddam Hussein.... There was more stability, ironically.
- Zainab Saleh, associate professor at Haverford College

One of the biggest problems with Iraq democracy is that for over 20 years, the political class has never shifted from thinking of itself as an opposition to the previous regime to actually having governing responsibility, Istrabadi said.

"It's a hodgepodge, a political class that has never had a shared goal, a shared vision for the state of Iraq and whose agenda seems to be dictated more by personal agenda than by sort of a larger vision for the state.

"I don't think anyone in the Iraqi political class is thinking about what is Iraq 20 years from now. I don't think in 2003 any of them thought what should Iraq look like in 10, 20 years. Fundamentally, it's an incompetent political class which has captured the state and which is going to be very difficult to dislodge."

Iraqi Hanaa Selim, 28, left, Israa Waleed , 40, center, and Muneera al-Azami, 71, hold their ink stained index fingers as they leave the election center after voting in Baghdad, Iraq, Dec. 15, 2005. Iraqi Hanaa Selim, 28, left, Israa Waleed , 40, centre, and Muneera al-Azami, 71, hold their ink-stained index fingers as they leave the election centre after voting in Baghdad, Iraq, Dec. 15, 2005. (Samir Mizban/The Associated Press)

Meanwhile, militias continue to be a major problem, which has also led to a nostalgia for Saddam.

"There is a nostalgia for Saddam Hussein. It's not because the Iraqis love a dictator. But under Saddam Hussein, you knew you had one enemy. It was Saddam Hussein," said Zainab Saleh, associate professor of anthropology at Haverford College. "There was more stability, ironically. And that sort of violence was coming from one group — his regime. "After 2003, you don't know where the violence is coming from: militias, al-Qaeda, ISIS, the US military."

"I talked to Iraqis who suffered under Saddam Hussein. They lost family members in prison, and now they say Saddam Hussein's days are better now,"  said Saleh, author of the book Return to Ruin: Iraqi Narratives of Exile and Nostalgia.

Demonstrators take cover during a protest in Baghdad. They have bandana-like masks and are carrying flags.Demonstrators cover themselves during a protest over corruption, lack of jobs, and poor services, in Baghdad, Iraq, Oct. 25, 2019. (Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters)

Economy

A young 20-year old Iraqi in 2003 may have thought that following the fall of Saddam, this could be a good opportunity for Iraq.

 "And to be sure, people have become fabulously wealthy," Istrabadi said. "But generally, the people who have become that wealthy have been extremely well connected to the political classes. So it's kind of robber baron capitalism as opposed to true regulated free market in which everyone has a relatively equal shot."

While Iraq does have a private sector, one that's bigger than in 2003,  it's "extremely limited," said Al-Khatteeb.

"And the main reason is because the political parties are running the show. They want to continue controlling, to get a share of the pie by financial allocation to public sector that they control by political quota system"

Meanwhile, says Istrabadi, the only real job prospects for Iraqis is to be a government employee. But the government can't afford its large public payroll.

"We have failed to create a true private sector, which means that our government sector is bloated and is in fact unsustainable. At this rate, the state of Iraq is unsustainable," he said.

According to Istrabadi, judging by the provision of services in Iraq, governance has been largely a failure.

"The fact remains that there has been no investment and infrastructure, there's been no real planning for a post-petroleum world. We still flare gas rather than capture our natural gas, we burn away a fortune every month," he said.

WATCH | In 2019, protesters demanded an overhaul of a corrupt political system: 

Anti-government demonstrations resume in Iraq

Duration 0:47
Iraqi security forces used tear gas and stun grenades to repel crowds marching towards the capital's heavily fortified Green Zone, protesting corruption and economic hardship.

"The provision of services is very poor. I cannot say to you that we've built a hospital or a school worthy of the name in Iraq," he said. "It is a poor country because of the lack of investment in their infrastructure over so many decades."

More freedom/protests

In theory, Iraqis have been granted more freedoms since the downfall of Saddam

"You constitutionally have a right to speak. There is a  plethora of media in Iraq," Istrabadi  said.

In 2019, protests erupted against then-prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's government with demonstrators demanding an overhaul of a political system they see as profoundly corrupt and keeping most Iraqis in poverty.

While hundreds were killed and thousands injured, it was a scene unlikely to have taken place during the rule of Saddam.

Saleh said those mass protests, while sparking violence and death, also sparked hope.

"The amazing thing is that the younger generation is what gives me hope for Iraq. The protesters denounced the sectarian political system, corruption, lack of basic services, and high unemployment. In short, the protesters belonged to a generation that only knew Iraq as a failed state, and aspired to forge a different path by demanding a country and rights, through the slogan 'We Want a Country' (Inryd Watan)."

Hadad said the protests were very symbolic in that it was "literally the moment Iraqis stopped having to worry about terrorists, stop having to worry about wars and just started demanding, you know, a better life."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Mark Gollom

Senior Reporter

Mark Gollom is a Toronto-based reporter with CBC News. He covers Canadian and U.S. politics and current affairs.

With files from Reuters

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1639 Comments
 
 
 
Scott Thibodeau  
"When the U.S.-led coalition invaded Iraq on Mar. 19, 2003, the stated goal was to seek out a new source of oil and end the regime of Saddam Hussein."

There you go. Fixed it for you.

 
David Amos
Reply to Scott Thibodeau
Did they ever find any weapons of Mass Destruction?  
 
 
 
 
 
 
mo bennett 
this is what happens when a state is governed by religious beliefs. 
 
 
Malcolm McKeil 
Reply to mo bennett 
US is a very religious country
 
 
Katy Rose
Reply to Malcolm McKeil   
Just look at some of the things DeSantis is doing in Florida, banning books and now a new bill would ban young girls from discussing their periods in school.  
 
 
Malcolm McKeil  
Reply to Katy Rose
maybe somebody should sanction the US, kill half a million kids a long slow painful death of illness and hunger like the US did in Iraq, Afghanistan, is doing in Iran and Korea today  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Malcolm McKeil  
Hmmm 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bill Watson 
I feel for the people of Iraq, but I strongly supported the invasion.
 
 
Alexander Borgia 
Reply to Bill Watson   
It's brave of you to admit that. Do you currently support the US being in eastern Syria stealing oil and grain? 
 
 
Malcolm McKeil 
Reply to Bill Watson   
makes you a war criminal 
 
 
David Amos
 
Reply to Bill Watson   
Shame on you 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Robert Stone 
Iraqi oil had a brief flirtation with the Euro. When the 'Mission Accomplished' banner was proudly displayed behind POTUS, Iraqi oil was back on the PetroDollar.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Robert Stone  
C'est Vrai  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mike Hamilton  
The Iraq war was a good distraction from their failures in Afghanistan. 
 
 
Dan Cooper
Reply to Mike Hamilton  
Well Afghanistan was a disguise to invade Iraq to kick our Saddam so they the US could get it;s hand on the oil. It was never about WMD or Bin Laden !   
 
 
David Amos
Reply toDan Cooper 
Bingo 
 
 
 
 
 
Dan Cooper
"the U.S.-led coalition invaded Iraq on Mar. 19, 2003, the stated goal was to seek out and destroy Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction"

Yes another US led an US war crime knowing full well there was no WMD and guess who knew that ? Joe Biden of course ! It's on record people when Joe Biden confronted former UN and US Marine Maj. Scott Ritter ! 

 
Mike Hamilton 
Reply toDan Cooper
Did Dubya know?
 
 
David Amos
Reply toDan Cooper
Well put 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dan Cooper
Saddam should of never let in UN weapons inspectors, the US ignored all the UN's findings that there was no WMD which made it easy for the US to invade. Instead they should have bluffed or actually possessed them and the US would have not dared to invade !   
 
 
Allen Ross 
Reply toDan Cooper
Lol…but he wasn’t that bright. And now he’s dead.   
 
 
David Amos

Reply toAllen Ross 
Methinks many would agree that you are not very bright either N'esy Pas?   
 
 
 
 
 
Dan Cooper 
The winner is Kim Jong-Un for actually possessing WMD !  
 
 
David Amos
Reply toDan Cooper
There is no winner in this nonsense  






↧

Michael Duheme named interim RCMP commissioner

March 20, 2023, 8:45 am
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I just called Commissioner Brenda.Lucki's office again Correct???

 

McGillis, Sean

<Sean.McGillis@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>		Wed, Aug 24, 2022 at 12:33 PM
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Please be advised that I am currently out of the office this week.

 

In my absence, please contact Maureen Doherty as the acting Executive Director.

Maureeen.E.Doherty@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

*********************************************************************************************'

Veuillez noter que je suis actuellement absent du bureau cette semaine.

 

En mon absence, merci de contacter Maureen Doherty qui est la Directrice Executive par interim.

Maureeen.E.Doherty@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

 
 
 

David Amos

<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>		Wed, Aug 24, 2022 at 12:31 PM
To: Mark.Flynn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, Sean.Mcgillis@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, "Brenda.Lucki"<Brenda.Lucki@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, Angie.Boucher@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, Brigitte.Voitel@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, "Nathalie.Drouin"<Nathalie.Drouin@justice.gc.ca>, "Marco.Mendicino"<Marco.Mendicino@parl.gc.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, PREMIER <PREMIER@gov.ns.ca>, info <info@masscasualtycommission.ca>, info <info@gg.ca>, "Ian.Shugart"<Ian.Shugart@pco-bcp.gc.ca>, "ian.fahie"<ian.fahie@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Mark.Blakely"<Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "warren.mcbeath"<warren.mcbeath@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, washington field <washington.field@ic.fbi.gov>, "fin.minfinance-financemin.fin"<fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca>, "Frank.McKenna"<Frank.McKenna@td.com>, "Katie.Telford"<Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>, "kris.austin"<kris.austin@gnb.ca>, "michael.macdonald"<michael.macdonald@thecanadianpress.com>, "Michael.Duheme"<Michael.Duheme@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Sean.Fraser"<Sean.Fraser@parl.gc.ca>, "rick.perkins"<rick.perkins@parl.gc.ca>, "stephen.ellis"<stephen.ellis@parl.gc.ca>, MaryAnne.McCormick@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, "Kevin.leahy"<Kevin.leahy@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, NightTimePodcast <NightTimePodcast@gmail.com>, nsinvestigators <nsinvestigators@gmail.com>, "Pineo, Robert"<rpineo@pattersonlaw.ca>, andrew <andrew@frankmagazine.ca>, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>, "martin.gaudet"<martin.gaudet@fredericton.ca>, "Roger.Brown"<Roger.Brown@fredericton.ca>, "blaine.higgs"<blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, "Bill.Hogan"<Bill.Hogan@gnb.ca>


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Duheme, Michael"<Michael.Duheme@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2022 15:16:09 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: I just called Commissioner Brenda.Lucki's
office again Correct???
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Prenez note que je serai absent du 11 au 28 aout. le 8 Aout.
11 au 21,  Sean Mcgillis agira à titre de S/Comm intérimaire
(Bur,613-843-5914, cell 613 808-0554)
22 au 28, Com/Adj Mark Flynn  agira à titre de S/Comm. interimaire,
(Cell.613-301-4934, Off. 613-843-5105.)
*****************************************************************************
August 11th -29th,  I will be away from the office.
11th- 21st. Sean McGillis will be acting D/Commr. (Bur,613-843-5914,
cell 613 808-0554)
22nd-28th, A/Comm. Mark Flynn will be acting D/Commr.
Cell.613-301-4934, Off. 613-843-5105.




---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Voitel, Brigitte"<Brigitte.Voitel@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2022 15:16:09 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: I just called Commissioner Brenda.Lucki's
office again Correct???
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Please note I will be away from the office until September 2nd inclusively.
Please contact MaryAnne.McCormick@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

********************************

Veuillez noter que je serai absente du bureau jusqu'au 2 septembre
inclusivement.
Veuillez contacter MaryAnne.McCormick@rcmp-grc.gc.ca




---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ministerial Correspondence Unit - Justice Canada <mcu@justice.gc.ca>
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2022 15:15:32 +0000
Subject: Automatic Reply
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Thank you for writing to the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of
Justice and Attorney General of Canada.

Due to the volume of correspondence addressed to the Minister, please
note that there may be a delay in processing your email. Rest assured
that your message will be carefully reviewed.

We do not respond to correspondence that contains offensive language.

-------------------

Merci d'avoir écrit à l'honorable David Lametti, ministre de la
Justice et procureur général du Canada.

En raison du volume de correspondance adressée au ministre, veuillez
prendre note qu'il pourrait y avoir un retard dans le traitement de
votre courriel. Nous tenons à vous assurer que votre message sera lu
avec soin.

Nous ne répondons pas à la correspondance contenant un langage offensant.


I heard this lady's voicemail today


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: postmaster@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2022 11:16:09 -0400
Subject: Undeliverable: I just called Commissioner Brenda.Lucki's
office again Correct???
To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com

Delivery has failed to these recipients or groups:

Angie.Boucher@rcmp-grc.gc.ca<mailto:Angie.Boucher@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>
 
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  ip4:209.85.128.0/17 ip4:216.58.192.0/19 ip4:216.239.32.0/19
  ~all"
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X-ExtLoop1: 1


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Info <Info@gg.ca>
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2022 15:15:39 +0000
Subject: OSGG General Inquiries / Demande de renseignements généraux au BSGG
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Thank you for writing to the Office of the Secretary to the Governor
General. We appreciate hearing your views and suggestions. Responses
to specific inquiries can be expected within three weeks. Please note
that general comments and opinions may not receive a response.

*****

Nous vous remercions d'avoir écrit au Bureau du secrétaire du
gouverneur général. Nous aimons prendre connaissance de vos points de
vue et de vos suggestions. Il faut allouer trois semaines pour
recevoir une réponse à une demande précise. Veuillez noter que nous ne
donnons pas nécessairement suite aux opinions et aux commentaires
généraux.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: This message may contain confidential or privileged
information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are
not the intended recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or
copy this email. Please notify the sender immediately if you have
received this email by mistake and delete it from your system.

AVIS IMPORTANT : Le présent courriel peut contenir des renseignements
confidentiels et est strictement réservé à l’usage de la personne à
qui il est destiné. Si vous n’êtes pas la personne visée, vous ne
devez pas diffuser, distribuer ou copier ce courriel. Merci de nous en
aviser immédiatement et de supprimer ce courriel s’il vous a été
envoyé par erreur.



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Premier <PREMIER@novascotia.ca>
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2022 15:15:31 +0000
Subject: Thank you for your email
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Thank you for your email to Premier Houston. This is an automatic
confirmation your message has been received.

As we are currently experiencing higher than normal volumes of
correspondence, there may be delays in the response time for
correspondence identified as requiring a response.

If you are looking for the most up-to-date information from the
Government of Nova Scotia please visit:
http://novascotia.ca<https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnovascotia.ca%2F&data=04%7C01%7CJane.MacDonald%40novascotia.ca%7Ceeca3674da1940841c1b08da0c273c2c%7C8eb23313ce754345a56a297a2412b4db%7C0%7C0%7C637835659900957160%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=%2BUnVWeFXmCZiYsg7%2F6%2Bw55jn3t3WTeGL9l%2BLp%2BNkqNU%3D&reserved=0>

Thank you,

Premier’s Correspondence Team



On 8/24/22, David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> wrote:
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: Brenda Lucki <brenda.lucki@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>
> Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2018 17:20:25 -0400
> Subject: Re: David Coon and his buddy Chucky Leblanc know Attorney
> General Serge Rousselle told the CBC political panel the topic should
> not be discussed.because I am about to put my matter before the
> Supreme Court (Transferred - Mutation à Ottawa)
> To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
>
> Bonjour - Hello
>
> I am currently in the midst of transferring to Ottawa, and will be
> checking my e-mails periodically.  If you require assistance in regards
> to Depot, please contact Cpl. Roshan Pinto at 639-625-3577 or Nicole
> Yandon at 639-625-3066. If you require anything in regards to the
> Commissioner' office, please contact Angie Boucher at 613-8436183 or
> Brigitte Voitel 613-843-4590.
>
> Je suis actuellement en train de préparer ma mutation à Ottawa; je
> vérifierai mes courriels à l'occasion. Pour toute demande urgente
> concernant la Division Dépôt, veuillez communiquer avec le cap. Roshan
> Pinto au 639-625-3577 ou avec Nicole Yandon au 639-625-3066. Pour toute
> demande en lien au bureau du commissaire, veuillez communiquer avec
> Angie Boucher au 613-8436183 ou avec Brigitte Voitel au 613-843-4590.
>
> Brenda
>

Automatic reply: N.S. Mass Casualty Commission bans sharing video and audio of the testimony of RCMP Cst. Greg Wiley's testimony???

Duheme, Michael

<Michael.Duheme@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>		Mon, Oct 31, 2022 at 4:33 PM
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Prenez note que je serai absent le 13 octobre au 6 novembre

Sean McGillis  agira à titre de S/Comm. interimaire, (Cell.613-808-0554, bur. 613-843-5914.)

*****************************************************************************

Oct 13th to Nov6th, I will be away from the office. Sean Mcgillis

will be acting D/Commr. (Cell.613-808-0554, Off. 613-843-5914.)

 
 
 

Michael Duheme named interim RCMP commissioner

Former employees warn structural and cultural issues remain for next RCMP leader

 
Catharine Tunney· CBC News ·

New interim RCMP Commissioner faces challenges

Duration 1:46
Michael Duheme is selected as interim RCMP Commissioner as Brenda Lucki winds down her controversial tenure. The change comes as the force faces enormous challenges around police culture.
 The federal government has announced Michael Duheme will lead the RCMP in the interim as they hunt for a permanent leader.

Duheme serves as deputy commissioner of federal policing and will take the helm tomorrow after RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki's retirement.

"I have every confidence that his extensive experience in policing across the country and around the world has prepared him well to lead our national police force," said Public Safety Marco Mendicino in a statement.

Duheme, originally from Chambly, Que., started his career as a general duty investigator in Nova Scotia and has served stints as an officer with RCMP's Emergency Response Team, a member of the Kosovo peacekeeping mission, a VIP personal protection officer, the first director of the Parliamentary Protective Service and commanding officer of National Division in Ottawa.

As the head of the RCMP's federal policing wing, he's had his hand in some of the country's most sensitive files.

Duheme has made recent appearances in the public spotlight, accompanying Lucki to the Emergencies Act inquiry last fall and last month gave an update to MPs probing allegations of foreign interference.

WATCH | RCMP announces new interim RCMP commissioner Michael Duheme 

RCMP announces new interim RCMP commissioner Michael Duheme

Duration 1:45
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the search for a permanent commissioner continues and adds the government will choose someone who, in light of recent police tragedies, 'will keep the men and women who protect Canadians safe themselves.'

While Lucki's time in the post saw her navigate some profound challenges, some former RCMP employees say a lot of those challenges will still be around when the 25th commissioner eventually takes office.

"They are doomed," said Eli Sopow, a former civilian member who served for 20 years on research and analysis teams.

"It doesn't matter who you put in, because the structure is all broken. It's like one of those Escher drawings where you see stairways going all over the place ... That's the RCMP."

Lucki was the RCMP's first permanent female commissioner. She followed in the footsteps of Bev Busson, now a senator, who served as interim commissioner.

When she was appointed in 2018, Lucki was tasked with modernizing a police force in the grips of a sexual assault and harassment scandal.

"She was given an impossible task," said Karen Adams, one of the first women to don the red serge after the force allowed women to serve back in 1974.

The RCMP was forced to compensate more than 2,300 women who experienced sexual harassment or abuse — including instances of rape — and discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation while serving in the RCMP. In all, $125,266,500 was paid to claimants and their lawyers.

Adams was one of those claimants.

She said she had no idea what she was getting into when, at age 22, she joined the first graduating troop of women.

"I was interested in helping people," she said.

"I was so naive … I don't think any of us were prepared for what was coming our way, to be honest."

RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki during a Change of Command ceremony in Langley, British Columbia on Tuesday, September 20, 2022. RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki takes part in a change of command ceremony in Langley, B.C. on September 20, 2022. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

Adams, who has written a book about her time in the force, has said she was raped by her supervisor. She said she was too afraid to report it and instead suppressed the experience, which left her to suffer from PTSD.

Adams would go on to have a 28-year career in the RCMP. She worked alongside Lucki when they were both corporals 

"The biggest issues in the force [have] been cultural issues. And culture is very hard to change," she said.

"And Brenda, and any commissioner that follows, is going to have a huge, huge problem attempting to change the culture."

Lauren Bernardi, a lawyer and workplace investigator, said police culture in general has been prone to workplace harassment. 

RCMP officers have to respond to traumatic events and often live in isolated areas, she said, which can lead them to believe that the only way to be a police officer is to be tough and strong at all times.

"Transforming any culture is hard, because you're talking about behavioural change for individuals," Bernardi said. 

"When you think about the RCMP, how big they are, how dispersed people are, it makes it that much more of a challenge."

Bernardi said she has seen some signs that the RCMP is moving in the right direction — like the establishment of the Independent Centre for Harassment Resolution, which has outside investigators review allegations of sexual harassment or abuse in the ranks.

"I think it is a massive undertaking and maybe we don't always appreciate how hard that is," she said.

WATCH | Did Justin Trudeau lose faith in the RCMP commissioner?

Did Justin Trudeau lose faith in the RCMP commissioner?

Duration 20:49
Feb. 22, 2023 | RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki has announced she’s stepping down from the job next month. Andrew Chang looks back at her turbulent tenure and asks: was Lucki pushed out?

Sopow, now an associate professor at University Canada West, said Lucki's successor will have to grapple with structural issues, duelling mandates and a confusing command structure.

The force has contracts with most provinces and about 150 municipalities to provide frontline policing. It's also in charge of federal policing, including investigations of foreign interference, cybercrime and organized crime.

Sopow said he doesn't understand why the head of a police force — even a national one — reports to the federal public safety minister.

"The RCMP is a police service. Its culture is unlike anything else. It is not the agricultural department," he said.

"Where the RCMP has consistently found a real problem is, how do you lead and manage an organization that has to be credibly responsive to public safety ... with [this] uber-bureaucratic structure? Well, it can't."

Karen Adams was one of the first women to don the red serge after the force allowed women to serve back in 1974. Karen Adams was one of the first women to don the red serge after the force allowed women to serve back in 1974. (Submitted by Karen Adams)

The RCMP's relationship with the federal government has plagued Lucki throughout her time as commissioner. She was accused of meddling in the RCMP's investigation of the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting by pressing investigators — on the federal government's behalf — to make public details about the weapons used by the gunman.

Both Lucki and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair have denied interfering with the RCMP's investigation.

During her testimony before the Emergencies Act inquiry — one of her last major public appearances as commissioner — Lucki said it's time to bring in better guardrails between the national police force and the federal government to avoid future allegations of political interference.

She was also criticized over her response to allegations of systemic racism in the force and to the families of the victims of the 2020 mass shooting.

WATCH | Trudeau says Otawa will take 'diversity' and 'Indigenous representation' into account for next commissioner

Government will take 'diversity' and 'Indigenous representation' into account in choosing a new RCMP commissioner: Trudeau

Duration 1:36
Asked about Brenda Lucki's replacement, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says an independent process is taking place and will ensure that the final choice represents the 'fullness of Canada.'

Mendicino's office said more details will be made public about the hunt for the next commissioner soon.

"We will be searching for an exceptional new leader who will keep our communities safe, while advancing the reforms necessary to maintain the confidence of all Canadians. We look forward to sharing more details about the process in the near future," said his office.

"We will search out somebody who reflects the best values and capabilities and skills and who is committed to continuing to reform this institution," Mendicino said last month.

A 'ship that's sinking'

Sopow said that while he doesn't believe Lucki was the best choice back in 2018, some of the problems she faced in the job were bigger than her and still need addressing.

"God bless her heart. You could put anybody in there you want and it won't work. It simply won't work," he said.

"How can you put somebody as captain of a ship that's sinking without any radar, any devices, anything to give a direction of where it's going?"

Adams said she believes that if the next commissioner wants to make changes, they'll need to start at the RCMP's training depot — "the cradle of the force."

"It all begins there. It's that sense of, 'Do as you're told, don't question, learn to not speak up,'" Adams said.

During her time as commissioner, Lucki did act to modernize the depot's screening tools to make the RCMP more diverse and avoid recruiting people with racist beliefs.

"I hope they can work things out so it becomes a safer place," Adams said of the next commissioner.

RCMP members are pictured wearing their red serge uniforms during a Change of Command ceremony in Langley, British Columbia on Tuesday, September 20, 2022. RCMP members are pictured wearing their red serge uniforms during a Change of Command ceremony in Langley, British Columbia on Tuesday, September 20, 2022. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

"For women, for people of colour, for First Nations people. I just hope it becomes much more inclusive than it has been over the last 150 years."

Nearly 50 years after women were first allowed to join the force, Adams said she still hopes women can see the RCMP as a worthy career path. But it's not something she would have recommended to her children.

"I'm glad my own daughters didn't pursue that career."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Catharine Tunney

Reporter

Catharine Tunney is a reporter with CBC's Parliament Hill bureau, where she covers national security and the RCMP. She worked previously for CBC in Nova Scotia. You can reach her at catharine.tunney@cbc.ca

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 

Automatic reply: N.S. Mass Casualty Commission bans sharing video and audio of the testimony of RCMP Cst. Greg Wiley's testimony???

Unstarred  Tom McCoagSat, Sep 3, 2022 at 10:31 PM

Unstarred  Perkins, Rick - M.P.Sat, Sep 3, 2022 at 10:31 PM

Unstarred  Bergen, Candice - M.P.Sat, Sep 3, 2022 at 10:31 PM

Unstarred  Pineo, RobertSat, Sep 3, 2022 at 10:31 PM

Unstarred  Justice MinisterSat, Sep 3, 2022 at 10:32 PM

Unstarred  Fairbairn, Heather JSat, Sep 3, 2022 at 10:32 PM

Unstarred  Stevens, Michelle LSat, Sep 3, 2022 at 10:32 PM

Unstarred  Mitton, Megan (LEG)Sat, Sep 3, 2022 at 10:32 PM

Unstarred  Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’OntarioSat, Sep 3, 2022 at 10:32 PM

Unstarred  NewsroomSat, Sep 3, 2022 at 10:33 PM

Unstarred  Bergen, Candice - M.P.Sun, Sep 4, 2022 at 9:45 AM

Unstarred  Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’OntarioSun, Sep 4, 2022 at 9:47 AM

Unstarred  Justice MinisterSun, Sep 4, 2022 at 9:47 AM

Unstarred  Pineo, RobertMon, Oct 31, 2022 at 4:32 PM

Unstarred  Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’OntarioMon, Oct 31, 2022 at 4:32 PM

Unstarred  Hogan, Hon. Bill (EECD/EDPE)Mon, Oct 31, 2022 at 4:32 PM

Unstarred  Fraser, Sean - M.P.Mon, Oct 31, 2022 at 4:32 PM

Unstarred  Perkins, Rick - M.P.Mon, Oct 31, 2022 at 4:32 PM

Add star 

Duheme, Michael

<Michael.Duheme@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>		Mon, Oct 31, 2022 at 4:33 PM
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Prenez note que je serai absent le 13 octobre au 6 novembre

Sean McGillis  agira à titre de S/Comm. interimaire, (Cell.613-808-0554, bur. 613-843-5914.)

*****************************************************************************

Oct 13th to Nov6th, I will be away from the office. Sean Mcgillis

will be acting D/Commr. (Cell.613-808-0554, Off. 613-843-5914.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




Add star 

Justice Minister

<JUSTMIN@novascotia.ca>		Mon, Oct 31, 2022 at 4:32 PM
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Thank you for your email to the Minister of Justice. Please be assured that it has been received by the Department. Your email will be reviewed and addressed accordingly. Thank you.

 
 
 

David Amos

<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>		Mon, Oct 31, 2022 at 4:32 PM
To: "Perkins, Rick - M.P."<rick.perkins@parl.gc.ca>
Cc: "heather.decoste@masscasualtycommission.ca"<heather.decoste@masscasualtycommission.ca>, "Maureeen.E.Doherty@rcmp-grc.gc.ca"<Maureeen.E.Doherty@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Mark.Flynn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca"<Mark.Flynn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Sean.Mcgillis@rcmp-grc.gc.ca"<Sean.Mcgillis@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Brenda.Lucki"<Brenda.Lucki@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Angie.Boucher@rcmp-grc.gc.ca"<Angie.Boucher@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Brigitte.Voitel@rcmp-grc.gc.ca"<Brigitte.Voitel@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Nathalie.Drouin"<Nathalie.Drouin@justice.gc.ca>, "Mendicino, Marco - M.P."<Marco.Mendicino@parl.gc.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, PREMIER <PREMIER@gov.ns.ca>, info <info@masscasualtycommission.ca>, info <info@gg.ca>, "Ian.Shugart"<Ian.Shugart@pco-bcp.gc.ca>, "ian.fahie"<ian.fahie@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Mark.Blakely"<Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "warren.mcbeath"<warren.mcbeath@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, washington field <washington.field@ic.fbi.gov>, "chris.marshall@rcmp-grc.gc.ca"<chris.marshall@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "rcmpns-grcne@rcmp-grc.gc.ca"<rcmpns-grcne@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "mike.lokken"<mike.lokken@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "michael.omalley@rcmp-grc.gc.ca"<michael.omalley@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Michelle.Boutin"<Michelle.Boutin@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca"<fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca>, "Frank.McKenna"<Frank.McKenna@td.com>, "Katie.Telford"<Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>, "kris.austin"<kris.austin@gnb.ca>, "michael.macdonald"<michael.macdonald@thecanadianpress.com>, "Michael.Duheme"<Michael.Duheme@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Fraser, Sean - M.P."<Sean.Fraser@parl.gc.ca>, "Ellis, Stephen - M.P."<stephen.ellis@parl.gc.ca>, "MaryAnne.McCormick@rcmp-grc.gc.ca"<MaryAnne.McCormick@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Kevin.leahy"<Kevin.leahy@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Blair, Bill - M.P."<Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca>, "Bergen, Candice - M.P."<candice.bergen@parl.gc.ca>, "mla@esmithmccrossinmla.com"<mla@esmithmccrossinmla.com>, "Mike.Comeau"<Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca>, "Mitton, Megan (LEG)"<megan.mitton@gnb.ca>, premier <premier@ontario.ca>, Office of the Premier <scott.moe@gov.sk.ca>, "michelle.stevens@novascotia.ca"<michelle.stevens@novascotia.ca>, "heather.fairbairn@novascotia.ca"<heather.fairbairn@novascotia.ca>, "elizabeth.macdonald@novascotia.ca"<elizabeth.macdonald@novascotia.ca>, "Gary.Andrea@novascotia.ca"<Gary.Andrea@novascotia.ca>, "dkogon@amherst.ca"<dkogon@amherst.ca>, "jmacdonald@amherst.ca"<jmacdonald@amherst.ca>, "darrell.cole@amherstnews.ca"<darrell.cole@amherstnews.ca>, "lifestyle@thecoast.ca"<lifestyle@thecoast.ca>, "tmccoag@amherst.ca"<tmccoag@amherst.ca>, "dpike@amherst.ca"<dpike@amherst.ca>, "JUSTMIN@novascotia.ca"<JUSTMIN@novascotia.ca>, andre <andre@jafaust.com>, "jeff.carr"<jeff.carr@gnb.ca>, "andrea.anderson-mason"<andrea.anderson-mason@gnb.ca>, "Ross.Wetmore"<Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca>, "Stewart, Jake - M.P."<jake.stewart@parl.gc.ca>, "Moore, Rob - M.P."<Rob.Moore@parl.gc.ca>, "Williamson, John - M.P."<John.Williamson@parl.gc.ca>, "Justweb@novascotia.ca"<Justweb@novascotia.ca>, "barb.whitenect"<barb.whitenect@gnb.ca>, "Boston.Mail"<Boston.Mail@ic.fbi.gov>, "hugh.flemming"<hugh.flemming@gnb.ca>, motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, "Fraser.Logan@rcmp-grc.gc.ca"<Fraser.Logan@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, paulpalango <paulpalango@protonmail.com>, NightTimePodcast <NightTimePodcast@gmail.com>, nsinvestigators <nsinvestigators@gmail.com>, "Pineo, Robert"<rpineo@pattersonlaw.ca>, andrew <andrew@frankmagazine.ca>, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>, "martin.gaudet"<martin.gaudet@fredericton.ca>, "Roger.Brown"<Roger.Brown@fredericton.ca>, "blaine.higgs"<blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, "Bill.Hogan@gnb.ca"<Bill.Hogan@gnb.ca>

What are you hiding???

On 9/4/22, Perkins, Rick - M.P. <rick.perkins@parl.gc.ca> wrote:
> Wow. Why a stupid decision. What are they hiding?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Rick Perkins, MP
> South Shore-St. Margaret’s
> Official Opposition Shadow Minister, Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian
> Coast Guard
> 613-995-6182
> 902-527-5655
> ________________________________
> From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
> Sent: Saturday, September 3, 2022 10:31:10 PM
> To: heather.decoste@masscasualtycommission.ca
> <heather.decoste@masscasualtycommission.ca>;
> Maureeen.E.Doherty@rcmp-grc.gc.ca<Maureeen.E.Doherty@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>;
> Mark.Flynn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca<Mark.Flynn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>;
> Sean.Mcgillis@rcmp-grc.gc.ca<Sean.Mcgillis@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>; Brenda.Lucki
> <Brenda.Lucki@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>; Angie.Boucher@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
> <Angie.Boucher@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>; Brigitte.Voitel@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
> <Brigitte.Voitel@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>; Nathalie.Drouin
> <Nathalie.Drouin@justice.gc.ca>; Mendicino, Marco - M.P.
> <Marco.Mendicino@parl.gc.ca>; mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>; PREMIER
> <PREMIER@gov.ns.ca>; info <info@masscasualtycommission.ca>; info
> <info@gg.ca>; Ian.Shugart <Ian.Shugart@pco-bcp.gc.ca>; ian.fahie
> <ian.fahie@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>; Mark.Blakely <Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>;
> warren.mcbeath <warren.mcbeath@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>; washington field
> <washington.field@ic.fbi.gov>; chris.marshall@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
> <chris.marshall@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>; rcmpns-grcne@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
> <rcmpns-grcne@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>; mike.lokken <mike.lokken@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>;
> michael.omalley@rcmp-grc.gc.ca<michael.omalley@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>;
> Michelle.Boutin <Michelle.Boutin@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>;
> fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca
> <fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca>; Frank.McKenna
> <Frank.McKenna@td.com>; Katie.Telford <Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>;
> kris.austin <kris.austin@gnb.ca>; michael.macdonald
> <michael.macdonald@thecanadianpress.com>; Michael.Duheme
> <Michael.Duheme@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>; Fraser, Sean - M.P.
> <Sean.Fraser@parl.gc.ca>; Perkins, Rick - M.P. <rick.perkins@parl.gc.ca>;
> Ellis, Stephen - M.P. <stephen.ellis@parl.gc.ca>;
> MaryAnne.McCormick@rcmp-grc.gc.ca<MaryAnne.McCormick@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>;
> Kevin.leahy <Kevin.leahy@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>; Blair, Bill - M.P.
> <Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca>; Bergen, Candice - M.P. <candice.bergen@parl.gc.ca>;
> mla@esmithmccrossinmla.com<mla@esmithmccrossinmla.com>; Mike.Comeau
> <Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca>; Mitton, Megan (LEG) <megan.mitton@gnb.ca>; premier
> <premier@ontario.ca>; Office of the Premier <scott.moe@gov.sk.ca>;
> michelle.stevens@novascotia.ca<michelle.stevens@novascotia.ca>;
> heather.fairbairn@novascotia.ca<heather.fairbairn@novascotia.ca>;
> elizabeth.macdonald@novascotia.ca<elizabeth.macdonald@novascotia.ca>;
> Gary.Andrea@novascotia.ca<Gary.Andrea@novascotia.ca>; dkogon@amherst.ca
> <dkogon@amherst.ca>; jmacdonald@amherst.ca<jmacdonald@amherst.ca>;
> darrell.cole@amherstnews.ca<darrell.cole@amherstnews.ca>;
> lifestyle@thecoast.ca<lifestyle@thecoast.ca>; tmccoag@amherst.ca
> <tmccoag@amherst.ca>; dpike@amherst.ca<dpike@amherst.ca>;
> JUSTMIN@novascotia.ca<JUSTMIN@novascotia.ca>; andre <andre@jafaust.com>;
> jeff.carr <jeff.carr@gnb.ca>; andrea.anderson-mason
> <andrea.anderson-mason@gnb.ca>; Ross.Wetmore <Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca>; Stewart,
> Jake - M.P. <jake.stewart@parl.gc.ca>; Moore, Rob - M.P.
> <Rob.Moore@parl.gc.ca>; Williamson, John - M.P.
> <John.Williamson@parl.gc.ca>; Justweb@novascotia.ca<Justweb@novascotia.ca>;
> barb.whitenect <barb.whitenect@gnb.ca>; Boston.Mail
> <Boston.Mail@ic.fbi.gov>; hugh.flemming <hugh.flemming@gnb.ca>
> Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>; Fraser.Logan@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
> <Fraser.Logan@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>; paulpalango <paulpalango@protonmail.com>;
> NightTimePodcast <NightTimePodcast@gmail.com>; nsinvestigators
> <nsinvestigators@gmail.com>; Pineo, Robert <rpineo@pattersonlaw.ca>; andrew
> <andrew@frankmagazine.ca>; Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>; oldmaison
> <oldmaison@yahoo.com>; martin.gaudet <martin.gaudet@fredericton.ca>;
> Roger.Brown <Roger.Brown@fredericton.ca>; blaine.higgs
> <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>; Bill.Hogan@gnb.ca<Bill.Hogan@gnb.ca>
> Subject: N.S. Mass Casualty Commission bans sharing video and audio of the
> testimony of RCMP Cst. Greg Wiley's testimony???
>
> https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2022/09/ns-mass-casualty-commission-bans.html
>
> Saturday, 3 September 2022
>
> N.S. Mass Casualty Commission bans sharing video and audio of the
> testimony of RCMP Cst. Greg Wiley's testimony??? SURPRISE SURPRISE
> SURPRISE
>
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaqCL0OKP0o&ab_channel=AdamRodgers
>
> MCC Day 64 - Commissioners' Publication Ban On Cst. Wiley Testimony
> 259 views
> Sep 3, 2022
> Adam Rodgers
> 714 subscribers
> In another late Friday afternoon news release, the MCC has issued a
> decision to ban the publication of any audio or video of Cst. Greg
> Wiley's testimony on Tuesday. Cst. Wiley is a key witness, having
> visited Gabriel Wortman 16 times over the course of a few years. This
> decision is unsupported by any publicly available evidence.
> The Commissioners have threatened to have anyone who violates the
> order charged criminally under s.127 of the Criminal Code. I discuss
> that section and what it would take for a media organization to
> overcome the Order made by the Commissioners.
>
> MCC Day 64 - Commissioners' Publication Ban On Cst. Wiley Testimony
> 261 views
> Sep 3, 2022
> Adam Rodgers
> 714 subscribers
> In another late Friday afternoon news release, the MCC has issued a
> decision to ban the publication of any audio or video of Cst. Greg
> Wiley's testimony on Tuesday. Cst. Wiley is a key witness, having
> visited Gabriel Wortman 16 times over the course of a few years. This
> decision is unsupported by any publicly available evidence.
> The Commissioners have threatened to have anyone who violates the
> order charged criminally under s.127 of the Criminal Code. I discuss
> that section and what it would take for a media organization to
> overcome the Order made by the Commissioners.
>
> 7 Comments
>
> David Amos
> SURPRISE SURPRISE SURPRISE
>
> hmackenzie7
> We are paying attention to these damn Friday releases of info. Such
> corruption and hypocrisy makes me sick. Thank you for taking the time
> for these reports and best of luck in your baseball games!
>
> Brian Henley
> Cripes...this is bizarre...incomprehensible ... thank you, Adam, for
> bringing this to light.
>
> Jean Campbell
> Each day I grow sadder. What a joke this MCC is.
> Thank you for taking the time to post these videos Adam.
>
> Tracy Wing
> My son was shot and killed by the police 4 years ago, I received many
> Friday 4:00 pm calls or emails - they are hoping I don't answer- We
> are watching and paying attention!
>
> Janes Blond
> This isnt trauma informed. This is a cover up
>
> donna lynes
> this appaling.
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfJAnTdGFYM&ab_channel=LittleGreyCells
>
>
> WYLIE & A LOOK BACK IN TIME
> 240 views
> Streamed live 3 hours ago
>
> Little Grey Cells
> 3.47K subscribers
>
> 1  Comment
>
> David Amos
> Welcome back to the Circus
>
> https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/key-rcmp-officer-testimony-mass-shooting-cant-be-broadcast-1.6571729
>
> Testimony from key RCMP officer at mass shooting inquiry can't be broadcast
>
> Mass Casualty Commission made surprise announcement Friday afternoon
> Ruth Davenport · CBC News · Posted: Sep 02, 2022 7:12 PM AT
>
> RCMP Const. Greg Wiley visited the gunman's Portapique home 16 times
> in the years before the deadly rampage of April 2020. (David Bell/CBC)
>
> The comission investigating the mass shootings in Nova Scotia in April
> 2020 has made a surprise decision just before the long weekend to
> block the testimony of a key witness from public broadcast.
>
> RCMP Const. Greg Wiley is set to testify Tuesday afternoon, but in a
> decision released Friday afternoon, the Mass Casualty Commission ruled
> that his testimony via video link would not be disseminated as either
> audio or video via the normal webcast.
>
> "In order to receive the best information possible from Cst. Wiley, we
> have directed that Cst. Wiley's testimony not be webcast and a
> transcript be posted on the website," wrote the commission in its
> decision.
>
> The Attorney General of Canada made an application for accommodation
> for Wiley, citing personal health reasons.
>
> Wiley is the officer who visited the gunman's Portapique home 16 times
> in the years before the deadly rampage of April 2020.
>
> He told investigators in an interview that he never saw anything alarming.
> Accommodation granted for 'best information'
>
> The gunman had a stash of illegal weapons and a replica RCMP cruiser,
> which were used in the killings of 22 people.
>
> The commission also plans to question Wiley about his involvement in
> the case of Susie Butlin, a Tatamagouche woman who was killed by her
> neighbour in September 2017 after reporting him to RCMP for sexual
> assault and harassment.
>
> When Butlin called the RCMP in August 2017 to report harassing
> messages from her neighbour, Wiley was assigned as the lead
> investigator. He discussed the messages with Butlin, and determined
> there was no basis to lay a criminal charge.
>
> The commission wouldn't take questions Friday afternoon, but senior
> commission counsel Emily Hill released a video statement noting the
> public and media could still attend the proceedings on Tuesday.
>
> "The difference in this case is that video will not be posted after on
> our website or published by the media or by the public," they said.
>
> "This is in response to an accommodation request … accommodations are
> granted to ensure the commission receives the best information from
> witnesses."
> Other accommodations
>
> Hill said the request concerns personal health information and the
> commission could not discuss specifics.
>
> This is the most significant accommodation the commission has made for
> any witness who has testified.
>
> In May, the commission allowed two senior RCMP officers to answer
> questions in recorded sessions rather than testifying in front of a
> roomful of participants and lawyers.
>
> Some lawyers representing families of the victims boycotted the
> commission proceedings because they were not permitted to directly
> question Andy O'Brien, now retired, and Staff Sgt. Brian Rehill.
> Neither session was live streamed.
>
>
> ABOUT THE AUTHOR
> Ruth Davenport
>
> Producer, CBC Nova Scotia
>
> Ruth Davenport is a producer for CBC Nova Scotia. She has been
> covering news in Halifax for 20 years.
>
> CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
>
>
> https://globalnews.ca/news/9103514/nova-scotia-shooting-inquiry-video-audio-testimony-rcmp-officer/
>
>
> N.S. shooting inquiry bans sharing video, audio in testimony of RCMP
> officer
> By Karla Renić Global News
> Posted September 2, 2022 6:22 pm
>
> Click to play video: 'Inquiry into N.S. shooting enters final phase'
> The public inquiry into the Nova Scotia mass shooting resumed Monday,
> when the commission began the third and final phase of its work.
> Graeme Benjamin has more on what to expect as the inquiry nears its
> conclusion.
>
> The inquiry into the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting will hear from an
> RCMP officer who made repeated visits to the gunman’s home next week,
> but media will not be allowed to broadcast any video or audio from
> that appearance.
>
> The Mass Casualty Commission has granted an accommodation to Const.
> Greg Wiley, stationed in Bible Hill, N.S., who had repeated contact
> with the gunman in the years leading up to the massacre in April 2020.
>
> The inquiry has previously heard that Const. Wiley was a friend of
> Gabriel Wortman, and had investigated him after police received a
> report that he was threatening to kill his parents. Wiley told
> commission investigators he had a good rapport with the killer and
> visited his residence around 15 times, but never noticed anything
> unusual.
>
> Read more: RCMP who responded to N.S. mass shooting linked to murder
> case under federal review
>
> Wiley is also among three officers named in a 2018 police review of
> the gaps in the RCMP’s response to the murder case of Susie Butlin.
>
> Now, Wiley has been granted special arrangements to facilitate his
> testimony, allowing him to appear virtually, but the testimony will
> not be streamed on the commission website.
>
> The commission has also agreed that video and audio can’t be shared or
> published in any way, including by the media.
>
> Read more: N.S. mass shooting probe told cultural shift needed to
> address gender-based violence
>
> This is the first accommodation of this type for the inquiry.
>
> “Accommodations are granted to ensure the commission receives the best
> information from witnesses,” said Emily Hill, the senior commission
> counsel Friday evening.
>
> “Because accommodation requests contain personal health information,
> we cannot discuss the specifics of these requests.”
>
> Violations of the ban could result in a charge under Section 127 of
> the Criminal Code, the commission said.
>
> However, the testimony will be available for media and the public to
> watch in real time.
>
> The public can request a Zoom link to view Wiley’s testimony by
> emailing heather.decoste@masscasualtycommission.ca.
>
> https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/no-public-broadcast-for-rcmp-officer-s-testimony-about-n-s-mass-shooter-1.6054691
>
>
> No public broadcast for RCMP officer's testimony about N.S. mass shooter
> Commissioners Leanne Fitch, Michael MacDonald, chair, and Kim Stanton,
> left to right, listen to testimony at the Mass Casualty Commission
> inquiry into the mass murders in rural Nova Scotia on April 18/19,
> 2020, in Halifax on Monday, July 11, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew
> Vaughan Commissioners Leanne Fitch, Michael MacDonald, chair, and Kim
> Stanton, left to right, listen to testimony at the Mass Casualty
> Commission inquiry into the mass murders in rural Nova Scotia on April
> 18/19, 2020, in Halifax on Monday, July 11, 2022. THE CANADIAN
> PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
>
>
> Lyndsay Armstrong
> The Canadian Press
> Staff Contact
> Published Sept. 3, 2022 3:10 p.m. ADT
>
>
> HALIFAX -
>
> The testimony of an RCMP officer once described by another police
> officer as a "friend" of the man behind the 2020 mass shooting in Nova
> Scotia will not be publicly broadcast when he appears before the
> inquiry investigating the rampage.
>
> The commission probing the mass shooting in rural Nova Scotia that
> left 22 people dead issued a written decision on Friday saying Const.
> Greg Wiley will answer questions via video, but his testimony will not
> be available to the public in real-time. Instead, a transcript of his
> remarks will be posted to the commission's website.
>
> He will be the first witness to speak before the mass casualty
> commission whose testimony will not be aired on the livestream that
> has been used throughout the proceedings.
>
> "In order to receive the best information possible from Const. Wiley,
> we have directed that Const. Wiley's testimony not be webcast and a
> transcript be posted on the website," the decision reads.
>
> The request for accommodation was made by the federal Attorney General
> and means that video and audio of Wiley's answers "shall not be
> disseminated, released, published, or shared."
>
> The commission said Wiley's scheduled Zoom appearance can be viewed by
> inquiry participants, media and members of the public who request to
> watch the virtual testimony. Live audio access to the proceedings will
> also be available by phone.
>
> Wiley is the officer who was asked in 2010 to look into whether
> Gabriel Wortman -- the gunman behind the deadly shooting spree -- had
> firearms at his home in Portapique, N.S. when Wortman had threatened
> to kill his parents.
>
> The investigation into the alleged death threat did not lead to any
> charges.
>
> In his interview last year, Wiley told the commission's investigators
> he had a good rapport with Wortman and that they often had brief
> "chinwags" at the killer's residence. Wiley estimated he visited
> Wortman in the "ballpark" of 15 occasions over the years, but he said
> he hadn't noticed anything unusual.
>
> According to a report shared by the inquiry in May, the Halifax
> Regional Police service led the 2010 investigation into Wortman's
> threats against his parents. The investigating officer, now-retired
> sgt. Cordell Poirier, had referred to Wiley as a "friend" of Wortman,
> the report said. Poirier had said he asked Wiley on several occasions
> to visit Wortman's Portapique residence to check for firearms and to
> determine if a search warrant was needed.
>
> Wortman's spouse, Lisa Banfield, told the inquiry on July 15 that
> Wiley had come to the Portapique property in June 2010 to see if there
> were guns at the residence. Wiley's visit came after Wortman's
> threats.
>
> Banfield said Wiley was shown antique guns in the house during a visit
> that lasted 10 minutes.
>
> During his interview last year with lawyers for the public inquiry,
> Wiley was unable to recall details of the June 2010 investigation. In
> a followup letter to the inquiry, a lawyer for the RCMP said Wiley no
> longer had his notes from that time.
>
> Wiley is also connected to a 2017 murder case that is under federal review.
>
> Susie Butlin, from Bayhead, N.S., had complained to the RCMP about
> being sexually assaulted and harassed by Ernest Ross Duggan before he
> killed her in September 2017. In August of that year, Wiley received
> Butlin's complaints of harassment and was assigned as lead
> investigator.
>
> According to the internal police report, Wiley "determined there was
> no basis for charges" and advised her to block Duggan on Facebook.
>
> The investigation into Butlin's death is now under a federal civilian
> review examining the RCMP's response to her complaints and the
> adequacy of its handling of sexual assault investigations.
>
> Wiley is scheduled to answer questions from the commission on Tuesday
> afternoon.
>
> The commission has previously allowed accommodations for RCMP
> witnesses. In May it allowed two senior Mounties to answer questions
> in recorded sessions instead of testifying before lawyers and
> participants.
>
> This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 3, 2022.
>
> This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and
> Canadian Press News Fellowship.
>
 
 
 
 
 

David Amos

<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>		Sun, Sep 4, 2022 at 9:45 AM
To: "Perkins, Rick - M.P."<rick.perkins@parl.gc.ca>
Cc: "heather.decoste@masscasualtycommission.ca"<heather.decoste@masscasualtycommission.ca>, "Maureeen.E.Doherty@rcmp-grc.gc.ca"<Maureeen.E.Doherty@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Mark.Flynn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca"<Mark.Flynn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Sean.Mcgillis@rcmp-grc.gc.ca"<Sean.Mcgillis@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Brenda.Lucki"<Brenda.Lucki@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Angie.Boucher@rcmp-grc.gc.ca"<Angie.Boucher@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Brigitte.Voitel@rcmp-grc.gc.ca"<Brigitte.Voitel@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Nathalie.Drouin"<Nathalie.Drouin@justice.gc.ca>, "Mendicino, Marco - M.P."<Marco.Mendicino@parl.gc.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, PREMIER <PREMIER@gov.ns.ca>, info <info@masscasualtycommission.ca>, info <info@gg.ca>, "Ian.Shugart"<Ian.Shugart@pco-bcp.gc.ca>, "ian.fahie"<ian.fahie@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Mark.Blakely"<Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "warren.mcbeath"<warren.mcbeath@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, washington field <washington.field@ic.fbi.gov>, "chris.marshall@rcmp-grc.gc.ca"<chris.marshall@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "rcmpns-grcne@rcmp-grc.gc.ca"<rcmpns-grcne@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "mike.lokken"<mike.lokken@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "michael.omalley@rcmp-grc.gc.ca"<michael.omalley@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Michelle.Boutin"<Michelle.Boutin@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca"<fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca>, "Frank.McKenna"<Frank.McKenna@td.com>, "Katie.Telford"<Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>, "kris.austin"<kris.austin@gnb.ca>, "michael.macdonald"<michael.macdonald@thecanadianpress.com>, "Michael.Duheme"<Michael.Duheme@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Fraser, Sean - M.P."<Sean.Fraser@parl.gc.ca>, "Ellis, Stephen - M.P."<stephen.ellis@parl.gc.ca>, "MaryAnne.McCormick@rcmp-grc.gc.ca"<MaryAnne.McCormick@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Kevin.leahy"<Kevin.leahy@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Blair, Bill - M.P."<Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca>, "Bergen, Candice - M.P."<candice.bergen@parl.gc.ca>, "mla@esmithmccrossinmla.com"<mla@esmithmccrossinmla.com>, "Mike.Comeau"<Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca>, "Mitton, Megan (LEG)"<megan.mitton@gnb.ca>, premier <premier@ontario.ca>, Office of the Premier <scott.moe@gov.sk.ca>, "michelle.stevens@novascotia.ca"<michelle.stevens@novascotia.ca>, "heather.fairbairn@novascotia.ca"<heather.fairbairn@novascotia.ca>, "elizabeth.macdonald@novascotia.ca"<elizabeth.macdonald@novascotia.ca>, "Gary.Andrea@novascotia.ca"<Gary.Andrea@novascotia.ca>, "dkogon@amherst.ca"<dkogon@amherst.ca>, "jmacdonald@amherst.ca"<jmacdonald@amherst.ca>, "darrell.cole@amherstnews.ca"<darrell.cole@amherstnews.ca>, "lifestyle@thecoast.ca"<lifestyle@thecoast.ca>, "tmccoag@amherst.ca"<tmccoag@amherst.ca>, "dpike@amherst.ca"<dpike@amherst.ca>, "JUSTMIN@novascotia.ca"<JUSTMIN@novascotia.ca>, andre <andre@jafaust.com>, "jeff.carr"<jeff.carr@gnb.ca>, "andrea.anderson-mason"<andrea.anderson-mason@gnb.ca>, "Ross.Wetmore"<Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca>, "Stewart, Jake - M.P."<jake.stewart@parl.gc.ca>, "Moore, Rob - M.P."<Rob.Moore@parl.gc.ca>, "Williamson, John - M.P."<John.Williamson@parl.gc.ca>, "Justweb@novascotia.ca"<Justweb@novascotia.ca>, "barb.whitenect"<barb.whitenect@gnb.ca>, "Boston.Mail"<Boston.Mail@ic.fbi.gov>, "hugh.flemming"<hugh.flemming@gnb.ca>, motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, "Fraser.Logan@rcmp-grc.gc.ca"<Fraser.Logan@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, paulpalango <paulpalango@protonmail.com>, NightTimePodcast <NightTimePodcast@gmail.com>, nsinvestigators <nsinvestigators@gmail.com>, "Pineo, Robert"<rpineo@pattersonlaw.ca>, andrew <andrew@frankmagazine.ca>, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>, "martin.gaudet"<martin.gaudet@fredericton.ca>, "Roger.Brown"<Roger.Brown@fredericton.ca>, "blaine.higgs"<blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, "Bill.Hogan@gnb.ca"<Bill.Hogan@gnb.ca>


YO Rick

Go Figure



 ---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 2020 00:47:00 -0400
Subject: Re: 13 deadly hours Methinks somebody in CBC should say hey
to your old buddies Landslide Annie and Big Bad Billy Blair for me
N'esy Pas Mr Prime Minister Trudeau The Younger???
To: prmibullrun <prmibullrun@gmail.com>, Norman Traversy
< traversy.n@gmail.com>, CabalCookies <cabalcookies@protonmail.com>,
El.Jones@msvu.ca, tim@halifaxexaminer.ca, "steve.murphy"
< steve.murphy@ctv.ca>, kevin.leahy@pps-spp.gc.ca,
Charles.Murray@gnb.ca, JUSTWEB <JUSTWEB@novascotia.ca>,
AgentMargaritaville@protonmail.com, "Bill.Blair"
< Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca>, "kevin.leahy"
< kevin.leahy@pps-spp.parl.gc.ca>, lagenomai4@protonmail.com,
mlaritcey@bellaliant.com, mla@esmithmccrossinmla.com,
toryrushtonmla@bellaliant.com, kelly@kellyregan.ca,
mla_assistant@alanapaon.com, stephenmcneil@ns.aliantzinc.ca, PREMIER
< PREMIER@gov.ns.ca>, info@hughmackay.ca, pictoueastamanda@gmail.com,
markfurey.mla@eastlink.ca, claudiachendermla@gmail.com,
FinanceMinister@novascotia.ca, kevin.leahy@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, pm
< pm@pm.gc.ca>, istayhealthy8@gmail.com, prmi@eastlink.ca,
"Katie.Telford"<Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>,
elizabeth.mcmillan@cbc.ca, lisa.mayor@cbc.ca, RPineo@pattersonlaw.ca,
smcculloch@pattersonlaw.ca

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Pineo, Robert"<RPineo@pattersonlaw.ca>
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 2020 04:40:12 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: 13 deadly hours Perhaps Elizabeth McMillan
and Lisa Mayor should have another talk with the lawyers Sean.Fraser
and Robert Pineo EH?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Thank you for your email. I will be attending outside meetings during
the week of November 16, 2020 and will not have access to my telephone
or email. I will return your messages during the evenings. Thank you
and have a nice day.



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 2020 04:40:10 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: 13 deadly hours Perhaps Elizabeth McMillan
and Lisa Mayor should have another talk with the lawyers Sean.Fraser
and Robert Pineo EH?
To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com

Thank you very much for reaching out to the Office of the Hon. Bill
Blair, Member of Parliament for Scarborough Southwest.

Please be advised that as a health and safety precaution, our
constituency office will not be holding in-person meetings until
further notice. We will continue to provide service during our regular
office hours, both over the phone and via email.

Due to the high volume of emails and calls we are receiving, our
office prioritizes requests on the basis of urgency and in relation to
our role in serving the constituents of Scarborough Southwest. If you
are not a constituent of Scarborough Southwest, please reach out to
your local of Member of Parliament for assistance. To find your local
MP, visit: https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en

Moreover, at this time, we ask that you please only call our office if
your case is extremely urgent. We are experiencing an extremely high
volume of calls, and will better be able to serve you through email.

Should you have any questions related to COVID-19, please see:
www.canada.ca/coronavirus<http://www.canada.ca/coronavirus>

Thank you again for your message, and we will get back to you as soon
as possible.

Best,


MP Staff to the Hon. Bill Blair
Parliament Hill: 613-995-0284
Constituency Office: 416-261-8613
bill.blair@parl.gc.ca<mailto:bill.blair@parl.gc.ca>

**
Merci beaucoup d'avoir pris contact avec le bureau de l'Honorable Bill
Blair, D?put? de Scarborough-Sud-Ouest.

Veuillez noter que par mesure de pr?caution en mati?re de sant? et de
s?curit?, notre bureau de circonscription ne tiendra pas de r?unions
en personne jusqu'? nouvel ordre. Nous continuerons ? fournir des
services pendant nos heures de bureau habituelles, tant par t?l?phone
que par courrier ?lectronique.

En raison du volume ?lev? de courriels que nous recevons, notre bureau
classe les demandes par ordre de priorit? en fonction de leur urgence
et de notre r?le dans le service aux ?lecteurs de Scarborough
Sud-Ouest. Si vous n'?tes pas un ?lecteur de Scarborough Sud-Ouest,
veuillez contacter votre d?put? local pour obtenir de l'aide. Pour
trouver votre d?put? local, visitez le
site:https://www.noscommunes.ca/members/fr

En outre, nous vous demandons de ne t?l?phoner ? notre bureau que si
votre cas est extr?mement urgent. Nous recevons un volume d'appels
extr?mement ?lev? et nous serons mieux ? m?me de vous servir par
courrier ?lectronique.

Si vous avez des questions concernant COVID-19, veuillez consulter le
site : http://www.canada.ca/le-coronavirus

Merci encore pour votre message, et nous vous r?pondrons d?s que possible.

Cordialement,

Personnel du D?put? de l'Honorable Bill Blair
Colline du Parlement : 613-995-0284
Bureau de Circonscription : 416-261-8613
bill.blair@parl.gc.ca<mailto:bill.blair@parl.gc.ca>
< mailto:bill.blair@parl.gc.ca>

On 11/23/20, David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> wrote:
> https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/longform/nova-scotia-shooting-13-deadly-hours
>
>
> 13 deadly hours
>
> November 22, 2020
>
> Over 13 hours, a man disguised as a Mountie travelled nearly 200
> kilometres through Nova Scotia, killing 22 people. The Fifth Estate
> explores what the RCMP knew about the gunman that night, how they
> remained one step behind and why the public was left in the dark.
>
> Text by Elizabeth McMillan and Lisa Mayor
>
> Editing by Janet Davison
>
> "It seems to me that the RCMP are not wanting the entire story to come
> out about how the response to this tragedy took place," Rob Pineo, a
> lawyer representing the families of the victims in a lawsuit against
> the shooter's estate, told The Fifth Estate. "To be frank, [their
> response] seems to be quite embarrassing [for the RCMP]."
>
>
> http://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2020/07/rallies-continue-push-for-public.html
>
>
> Wednesday, 29 July 2020
>
> Federal and provincial governments to hold public inquiry into Nova
> Scotia mass shootings
>
>
> https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies
>
> David Raymond Amos‏ @DavidRayAmos
> Replying to @DavidRayAmos
> Methinks lots of folks may enjoy what Peter Mac Issac and his cohorts
> said while the RCMP and a lot of LIEbranos were stuttering and
> doubletalking bigtime N'esy Pas?
>
>
> https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2020/07/rallies-continue-push-for-public.html
>
>
>   #nbpoli #cdnpoli
>
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioT6vj0zA_Q&t=3045s
>
>
> Citizens Rise Against Corruption in Trudeau Government
> 18,724 views
> •Streamed live on Jul 27, 2020
>
>
> Laura-Lynn Tyler Thompson
> 38K subscribers
> Citizens Rise Against Corruption in Trudeau Government - Peter Mac Issac
>
>
> ----------Origiinal message ----------
> From: Sean.Fraser@parl.gc.ca
> Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2020 10:33:11 +0000
> Subject: Automatic reply: YO Melanie Joly and Pablo Rodriguez Methinks
> Steven Guilbeault, his buddy Catherine Tait and all your former nasty
> minions in CBC must take courses on playing dumb N'esy Pas?
> To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com
>
> Thank you for your message. Please note that due to the volume of
> inquiries our offices are receiving, I have written an automated
> message below, and I have attached frequently asked questions to try
> and address some of the common things we are hearing about. If you
> still have questions about the Government’s response to COVID-19 after
> reading the below, please reply to this e-mail and we will be pleased
> to assist you.
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: "Pineo, Robert"<RPineo@pattersonlaw.ca>
> Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2020 15:25:26 +0000
> Subject: Re: RE Families of Shooting Victims Disappointed by
> “Independent Review” I just called Correct?
> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>, "McCulloch, Sandra"
> < smcculloch@pattersonlaw.ca>
> Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
>
> Why are you quoting my statement back to me?
>
> Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>
>
> ________________________________
> From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 9:53 AM
> To: smcculloch@pattersonlaw.ca; rpineo@pattersonlaw.ca
> Cc: motomaniac333
> Subject: RE Families of Shooting Victims Disappointed by “Independent
> Review” I just called Correct?
>
> http://www.pattersonlaw.ca/News/NewsArticleView/tabid/179/ArticleId/1746/Families-of-Shooting-Victims-Disappointed-by-Independent-Review.aspx
>
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: "McCulloch, Sandra"<smcculloch@pattersonlaw.ca>
> Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2020 12:53:30 +0000
> Subject: Automatic reply: RE Families of Shooting Victims Disappointed
> by “Independent Review” I just called Correct?
> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>
>
> Thank you for your email. I will be away from my office conducting
> discovery examinations on July 27th through 29th.  I will respond to
> your e-mail as soon as possible.  Please contact 902.897.2000 if your
> matter requires more urgent
> attention.https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/longform/nova-scotia-shooting-13-deadly-hours
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
> Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2020 09:53:20 -0300
> Subject: RE Families of Shooting Victims Disappointed by “Independent
> Review” I just called Correct?
> To: smcculloch@pattersonlaw.ca, rpineo@pattersonlaw.ca
> Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
>
> http://www.pattersonlaw.ca/News/NewsArticleView/tabid/179/ArticleId/1746/Families-of-Shooting-Victims-Disappointed-by-Independent-Review.aspx
>
>
> Families of Shooting Victims Disappointed by “Independent Review”
>
> The “Independent Review” announced by Ministers Furey and Blair is
> wholly insufficient to meet the objectives of providing full and
> transparent answers to the families and the public, identifying
> deficiencies in responses, and providing meaningful lessons to be
> learned to avoid similar future tragedies.
>
> The choices of commissioners, and in particular Former Chief Justice
> Michael MacDonald, were thoughtful and appropriate for an inquiry.
> Former Chief Justice MacDonald is of the highest rank in judicial
> capabilities and is of unassailable integrity. That said, any
> decision- maker can only render decisions based on the information and
> evidence presented to them.
>
> The announced “independent review” model, to be conducted in a
> so-called “non- traumatic” and “restorative” way, will prejudice the
> panel by restricting the evidence and information being presented.
>
> In a public inquiry setting, such as was employed in the Marshall and
> Westray public inquiries, interested parties had the opportunity to
> question the witnesses. It is a very well- held maxim in our common
> law legal tradition, that cross-examination is the most effective
> truth-finding mechanism available. Without proper and thorough
> questioning, the panel will be left with incomplete and untested
> evidence upon which to base its decision. This is completely contrary
> to our Canadian notions of fair and transparent justice.
>
> Most disappointingly, Ministers Furey and Blair have hidden behind
> their contrived notion of a “trauma-free” process to exclude the full
> participation of the families under the guise of protecting them from
> further trauma. This is not how the families wish to be treated.
> Minister Furey has spoken with the families, so he must know that they
> want to participate, not to be “protected” by an incomplete process.
>
> The families want a full and transparent public inquiry. Why will
> Minister Furey not give them this? Why will he not give the citizens
> of Nova Scotia this? “We are all in this together” has been the slogan
> throughout 2020 - the families simply want us all, the public, to be
> in this together now to figure out a better tomorrow for families and
> the Province.
>
> For further inquiries, please contact:
>
> Robert H. Pineo
> 902-405-8177
> rpineo@pattersonlaw.ca
>
>
> Sandra L. McCulloch
> 902-896-6114
> smcculloch@pattersonlaw.ca
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
> Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2020 09:04:13 -0300
> Subject: YO Bill.Blair Now that a full Public Inquiry is in order
> Methinks people such as Anne McLellan, Ralph Goodale Leanne Fitch,
> Allan Carroll, Mark Furey and YOU should testify under oath N'esy Pas?
> To: Norman Traversy <traversy.n@gmail.com>, CabalCookies
> < cabalcookies@protonmail.com>, El.Jones@msvu.ca,
> tim@halifaxexaminer.ca, "steve.murphy"<steve.murphy@ctv.ca>,
> kevin.leahy@pps-spp.gc.ca, Charles.Murray@gnb.ca, JUSTWEB
> < JUSTWEB@novascotia.ca>, AgentMargaritaville@protonmail.com,
> "Bill.Blair"<Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca>, "kevin.leahy"
> < kevin.leahy@pps-spp.parl.gc.ca>, lagenomai4@protonmail.com,
> mlaritcey@bellaliant.com, mla@esmithmccrossinmla.com,
> toryrushtonmla@bellaliant.com, kelly@kellyregan.ca,
> mla_assistant@alanapaon.com, stephenmcneil@ns.aliantzinc.ca, PREMIER
> < PREMIER@gov.ns.ca>, info@hughmackay.ca, pictoueastamanda@gmail.com,
> markfurey.mla@eastlink.ca, claudiachendermla@gmail.com,
> FinanceMinister@novascotia.ca, "Bill.Morneau"<Bill.Morneau@canada.ca>
> Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>,
> kevin.leahy@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, istayhealthy8@gmail.com,
> prmi@eastlink.ca, "PETER.MACKAY"<PETER.MACKAY@bakermckenzie.com>,
> "Katie.Telford"<Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca
> Date: Tue, 28 Jul 2020 21:48:08 +0000
> Subject: Automatic reply: RE The "Strike back: Demand an inquiry
> Event." Methinks it interesting that Martha Paynter is supported by
> the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation N'esy Pas?
> To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com
>
> Thank you very much for reaching out to the Office of the Hon. Bill
> Blair, Member of Parliament for Scarborough Southwest.
>
> Please be advised that as a health and safety precaution, our
> constituency office will not be holding in-person meetings until
> further notice. We will continue to provide service during our regular
> office hours, both over the phone and via email.
>
> Due to the high volume of emails and calls we are receiving, our
> office prioritizes requests on the basis of urgency and in relation to
> our role in serving the constituents of Scarborough Southwest. If you
> are not a constituent of Scarborough Southwest, please reach out to
> your local of Member of Parliament for assistance. To find your local
> MP, visit: https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en
>
> Moreover, at this time, we ask that you please only call our office if
> your case is extremely urgent. We are experiencing an extremely high
> volume of calls, and will better be able to serve you through email.
>
> Should you have any questions related to COVID-19, please see:
> www.canada.ca/coronavirus<http://www.canada.ca/coronavirus>
>
> Thank you again for your message, and we will get back to you as soon
> as possible.
>
> Best,
>
>
> MP Staff to the Hon. Bill Blair
> Parliament Hill: 613-995-0284
> Constituency Office: 416-261-8613
> bill.blair@parl.gc.cabill.blair@parl.gc.ca
>
>>
>
> **
> Merci beaucoup d'avoir pris contact avec le bureau de l'Honorable Bill
> Blair, D?put? de Scarborough-Sud-Ouest.
>
> Veuillez noter que par mesure de pr?caution en mati?re de sant? et de
> s?curit?, notre bureau de circonscription ne tiendra pas de r?unions
> en personne jusqu'? nouvel ordre. Nous continuerons ? fournir des
> services pendant nos heures de bureau habituelles, tant par t?l?phone
> que par courrier ?lectronique.
>
> En raison du volume ?lev? de courriels que nous recevons, notre bureau
> classe les demandes par ordre de priorit? en fonction de leur urgence
> et de notre r?le dans le service aux ?lecteurs de Scarborough
> Sud-Ouest. Si vous n'?tes pas un ?lecteur de Scarborough Sud-Ouest,
> veuillez contacter votre d?put? local pour obtenir de l'aide. Pour
> trouver votre d?put? local, visitez le
> site:https://www.noscommunes.ca/members/fr
>
> En outre, nous vous demandons de ne t?l?phoner ? notre bureau que si
> votre cas est extr?mement urgent. Nous recevons un volume d'appels
> extr?mement ?lev? et nous serons mieux ? m?me de vous servir par
> courrier ?lectronique.
>
> Si vous avez des questions concernant COVID-19, veuillez consulter le
> site : http://www.canada.ca/le-coronavirus
>
> Merci encore pour votre message, et nous vous r?pondrons d?s que possible.
>
> Cordialement,
>
> Personnel du D?put? de l'Honorable Bill Blair
> Colline du Parlement : 613-995-0284
> Bureau de Circonscription : 416-261-8613
> bill.blair@parl.gc.cabill.blair@parl.gc.ca>
> < mailto:bill.blair@parl.gc.ca>
>
>
> After backlash, governments agree to hold public inquiry into Nova
> Scotia shooting
> By Alexander Quon & Elizabeth McSheffrey Global News
> Posted July 28, 2020 10:42 am
>
> WATCH: The federal government is now proceeding with a public inquiry
> into the Nova Scotia massacre that left 22 innocent people dead in
> April. Elizabeth McSheffrey looks at why Ottawa is changing paths now,
> and what the inquiry has the power to do.
>
> The decision to hold a review into the mass killing in April that
> resulted in the deaths of 22 people in Nova Scotia took three months
> to arrange. In less than a week the decision has been undone after a
> massive wave of public backlash.
>
> Federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair announced on Tuesday a
> public inquiry will be held into the mass shooting that began in
> Portapique, N.S. on April 18 and came to an end nearly 100 km away, 13
> hours later.
>
> “The Government of Canada is now proceeding with a full Public
> Inquiry, under the authority of the Inquiries Act,” said Blair in a
> statement.
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: Allan Carroll <allan.carroll@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>
> Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2013 18:14:09 -0400
> Subject: Re: Trust that Murray Segal's appointment to whitewash the
> Rehteah Parsons matter did not surprise me after the meail I sent this
> weekend (AOL)
> To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
>
> I will be AOL commencing  July 27, 2013  and returning on August 13,
> 2013.  Cpl David Baldwin of Amherst Det will be assuming my duties
> during my absence. Should you require immediate assistance, please
> contact the main Amherst office number at 902-667-3859.
>
> For inquiries about the Crisis Negotiation Team, please contact
> Sgt.Royce MacRae at 902-720-5426 (w) or 902-471-8776 (c)
>
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: "Fitch, Leanne"<leanne.fitch@fredericton.ca>
> Date: Tue, 5 Apr 2016 14:05:24 +0000
> Subject: Automatic reply: Re Federal Court file no T-1557-15 Now this
> is interesting As soon as Brad Wall got reelected as Premier he began
> blocking my email Go Figure EH David Drummond???
> To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
>
> Due to a very high volume of incoming email to this account there is
> an unusual backlog of pending responses. Your query may not be repleid
> to in a timely fashion. If you require a formal response please send
> your query in writing to my attention c/o Fredericton Police Force,
> 311 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1B1 or phone (506) 460-2300.
>
> This e-mail communication (including any or all attachments) is
> intended only for the use of the person or entity to which it is
> addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. If
> you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, any use, review,
> retransmission, distribution, dissemination, copying, printing, or
> other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon this e-mail, is
> strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please
> contact the sender and delete the original and any copy of this e-mail
> and any printout thereof, immediately. Your co-operation is
> appreciated.
>
> Any correspondence with elected officials, employees, or other agents
> of the City of Fredericton may be subject to disclosure under the
> provisions of the Province of New Brunswick Right to Information and
> Protection of Privacy Act.
>
> Le présent courriel (y compris toute pièce jointe) s'adresse
> uniquement à son destinataire, qu'il soit une personne ou un
> organisme, et pourrait comporter des renseignements privilégiés ou
> confidentiels. Si vous n'êtes pas le destinataire du courriel, il est
> interdit d'utiliser, de revoir, de retransmettre, de distribuer, de
> disséminer, de copier ou d'imprimer ce courriel, d'agir en vous y
> fiant ou de vous en servir de toute autre façon. Si vous avez reçu le
> présent courriel par erreur, prière de communiquer avec l'expéditeur
> et d'éliminer l'original du courriel, ainsi que toute copie
> électronique ou imprimée de celui-ci, immédiatement. Nous sommes
> reconnaissants de votre collaboration.
>
> Toute correspondance entre ou avec les employés ou les élus de la
> Ville de Fredericton pourrait être divulguée conformément aux
> dispositions de la Loi sur le droit à l’information et la protection
> de la vie privée.
>
> GOV-OP-073
>
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: "Hon.Ralph.Goodale  (PS/SP)"<Hon.ralph.goodale@canada.ca>
> Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2019 16:39:00 +0000
> Subject: Automatic reply: Methinks this afternoon Harjit Sajjan and
> his minions should go to Federal Court pull my file (T-1557-15) from
> the docket then read statement 83 real slow N'esy Pas?
> To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
>
> Merci d'avoir ?crit ? l'honorable Ralph Goodale, ministre de la
> S?curit? publique et de la Protection civile.
> En raison d'une augmentation importante du volume de la correspondance
> adress?e au ministre, veuillez prendre note qu'il pourrait y avoir un
> retard dans le traitement de votre courriel. Soyez assur? que votre
> message sera examin? avec attention.
> Merci!
> L'Unit? de la correspondance minist?rielle
> S?curit? publique Canada
> *********
>
> Thank you for writing to the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of
> Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.
> Due to the significant increase in the volume of correspondence
> addressed to the Minister, please note there could be a delay in
> processing your email. Rest assured that your message will be
> carefully reviewed.
> Thank you!
> Ministerial Correspondence Unit
> Public Safety Canada
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: "Fitch, Leanne"<leanne.fitch@fredericton.ca>
> Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2019 16:38:59 +0000
> Subject: Automatic reply: Methinks this afternoon Harjit Sajjan and
> his minions should go to Federal Court pull my file (T-1557-15) from
> the docket then read statement 83 real slow N'esy Pas?
> To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
>
>
> Due to a very high volume of incoming email to this account there is
> an unusual backlog of pending responses. Your message may not be
> responded to in a timely fashion. If you require a formal response
> please send your query in writing to my attention c/o Fredericton
> Police Force, 311 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1B1 or phone (506)
> 460-2300. If this is an emergency related to public safety please call
> 911.
>
> En raison du grand nombre de courriels que reçoit cette messagerie, il
> se peut qu’une réponse tarde un peu à venir. Si vous avez besoin d'une
> réponse officielle, veuillez envoyer votre demande par écrit à mon
> attention aux soins (a/s) de la Force policière de Fredericton 311,
> rue Queen, Fredericton, NB   E3B 1B1, ou composer le 506 460-2300.
> S'il s'agit d'une urgence de sécurité publique, faites le 911.
>
>
> This e-mail communication (including any or all attachments) is
> intended only for the use of the person or entity to which it is
> addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. If
> you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, any use, review,
> retransmission, distribution, dissemination, copying, printing, or
> other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon this e-mail, is
> strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please
> contact the sender and delete the original and any copy of this e-mail
> and any printout thereof, immediately. Your co-operation is
> appreciated.
>
> Any correspondence with elected officials, employees, or other agents
> of the City of Fredericton may be subject to disclosure under the
> provisions of the Province of New Brunswick Right to Information and
> Protection of Privacy Act.
>
> Le présent courriel (y compris toute pièce jointe) s'adresse
> uniquement à son destinataire, qu'il soit une personne ou un
> organisme, et pourrait comporter des renseignements privilégiés ou
> confidentiels. Si vous n'êtes pas le destinataire du courriel, il est
> interdit d'utiliser, de revoir, de retransmettre, de distribuer, de
> disséminer, de copier ou d'imprimer ce courriel, d'agir en vous y
> fiant ou de vous en servir de toute autre façon. Si vous avez reçu le
> présent courriel par erreur, prière de communiquer avec l'expéditeur
> et d'éliminer l'original du courriel, ainsi que toute copie
> électronique ou imprimée de celui-ci, immédiatement. Nous sommes
> reconnaissants de votre collaboration.
>
> Toute correspondance entre ou avec les employés ou les élus de la
> Ville de Fredericton pourrait être divulguée conformément aux
> dispositions de la Loi sur le droit à l’information et la protection
> de la vie privée.
>
> GOV-OP-073
>
>
>
> https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2015/09/v-behaviorurldefaultvmlo.html
>
>
> Friday, 18 September 2015
> David Raymond Amos Versus The Crown T-1557-15
>

On 9/4/22, Perkins, Rick - M.P. <rick.perkins@parl.gc.ca> wrote:
> Wow. Why a stupid decision. What are they hiding?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Rick Perkins, MP
> South Shore-St. Margaret’s
> Official Opposition Shadow Minister, Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian
> Coast Guard
> 613-995-6182
> 902-527-5655
> ________________________________
> From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
> Sent: Saturday, September 3, 2022 10:31:10 PM
> To: heather.decoste@masscasualtycommission.ca
> <heather.decoste@masscasualtycommission.ca>;
> Maureeen.E.Doherty@rcmp-grc.gc.ca<Maureeen.E.Doherty@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>;
> Mark.Flynn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca<Mark.Flynn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>;
> Sean.Mcgillis@rcmp-grc.gc.ca<Sean.Mcgillis@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>; Brenda.Lucki
> <Brenda.Lucki@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>; Angie.Boucher@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
> <Angie.Boucher@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>; Brigitte.Voitel@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
> <Brigitte.Voitel@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>; Nathalie.Drouin
> <Nathalie.Drouin@justice.gc.ca>; Mendicino, Marco - M.P.
> <Marco.Mendicino@parl.gc.ca>; mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>; PREMIER
> <PREMIER@gov.ns.ca>; info <info@masscasualtycommission.ca>; info
> <info@gg.ca>; Ian.Shugart <Ian.Shugart@pco-bcp.gc.ca>; ian.fahie
> <ian.fahie@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>; Mark.Blakely <Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>;
> warren.mcbeath <warren.mcbeath@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>; washington field
> <washington.field@ic.fbi.gov>; chris.marshall@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
> <chris.marshall@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>; rcmpns-grcne@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
> <rcmpns-grcne@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>; mike.lokken <mike.lokken@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>;
> michael.omalley@rcmp-grc.gc.ca<michael.omalley@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>;
> Michelle.Boutin <Michelle.Boutin@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>;
> fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca
> <fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca>; Frank.McKenna
> <Frank.McKenna@td.com>; Katie.Telford <Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>;
> kris.austin <kris.austin@gnb.ca>; michael.macdonald
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> Subject: N.S. Mass Casualty Commission bans sharing video and audio of the
> testimony of RCMP Cst. Greg Wiley's testimony???
>
> https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2022/09/ns-mass-casualty-commission-bans.html
>
> Saturday, 3 September 2022
>
> N.S. Mass Casualty Commission bans sharing video and audio of the
> testimony of RCMP Cst. Greg Wiley's testimony??? SURPRISE SURPRISE
> SURPRISE
>
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaqCL0OKP0o&ab_channel=AdamRodgers
>
> MCC Day 64 - Commissioners' Publication Ban On Cst. Wiley Testimony
> 259 views
> Sep 3, 2022
> Adam Rodgers
> 714 subscribers
> In another late Friday afternoon news release, the MCC has issued a
> decision to ban the publication of any audio or video of Cst. Greg
> Wiley's testimony on Tuesday. Cst. Wiley is a key witness, having
> visited Gabriel Wortman 16 times over the course of a few years. This
> decision is unsupported by any publicly available evidence.
> The Commissioners have threatened to have anyone who violates the
> order charged criminally under s.127 of the Criminal Code. I discuss
> that section and what it would take for a media organization to
> overcome the Order made by the Commissioners.
>
> MCC Day 64 - Commissioners' Publication Ban On Cst. Wiley Testimony
> 261 views
> Sep 3, 2022
> Adam Rodgers
> 714 subscribers
> In another late Friday afternoon news release, the MCC has issued a
> decision to ban the publication of any audio or video of Cst. Greg
> Wiley's testimony on Tuesday. Cst. Wiley is a key witness, having
> visited Gabriel Wortman 16 times over the course of a few years. This
> decision is unsupported by any publicly available evidence.
> The Commissioners have threatened to have anyone who violates the
> order charged criminally under s.127 of the Criminal Code. I discuss
> that section and what it would take for a media organization to
> overcome the Order made by the Commissioners.
>
> 7 Comments
>
> David Amos
> SURPRISE SURPRISE SURPRISE
>
> hmackenzie7
> We are paying attention to these damn Friday releases of info. Such
> corruption and hypocrisy makes me sick. Thank you for taking the time
> for these reports and best of luck in your baseball games!
>
> Brian Henley
> Cripes...this is bizarre...incomprehensible ... thank you, Adam, for
> bringing this to light.
>
> Jean Campbell
> Each day I grow sadder. What a joke this MCC is.
> Thank you for taking the time to post these videos Adam.
>
> Tracy Wing
> My son was shot and killed by the police 4 years ago, I received many
> Friday 4:00 pm calls or emails - they are hoping I don't answer- We
> are watching and paying attention!
>
> Janes Blond
> This isnt trauma informed. This is a cover up
>
> donna lynes
> this appaling.
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfJAnTdGFYM&ab_channel=LittleGreyCells
>
>
> WYLIE & A LOOK BACK IN TIME
> 240 views
> Streamed live 3 hours ago
>
> Little Grey Cells
> 3.47K subscribers
>
> 1  Comment
>
> David Amos
> Welcome back to the Circus
>
> https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/key-rcmp-officer-testimony-mass-shooting-cant-be-broadcast-1.6571729
>
> Testimony from key RCMP officer at mass shooting inquiry can't be broadcast
>
> Mass Casualty Commission made surprise announcement Friday afternoon
> Ruth Davenport · CBC News · Posted: Sep 02, 2022 7:12 PM AT
>
> RCMP Const. Greg Wiley visited the gunman's Portapique home 16 times
> in the years before the deadly rampage of April 2020. (David Bell/CBC)
>
> The comission investigating the mass shootings in Nova Scotia in April
> 2020 has made a surprise decision just before the long weekend to
> block the testimony of a key witness from public broadcast.
>
> RCMP Const. Greg Wiley is set to testify Tuesday afternoon, but in a
> decision released Friday afternoon, the Mass Casualty Commission ruled
> that his testimony via video link would not be disseminated as either
> audio or video via the normal webcast.
>
> "In order to receive the best information possible from Cst. Wiley, we
> have directed that Cst. Wiley's testimony not be webcast and a
> transcript be posted on the website," wrote the commission in its
> decision.
>
> The Attorney General of Canada made an application for accommodation
> for Wiley, citing personal health reasons.
>
> Wiley is the officer who visited the gunman's Portapique home 16 times
> in the years before the deadly rampage of April 2020.
>
> He told investigators in an interview that he never saw anything alarming.
> Accommodation granted for 'best information'
>
> The gunman had a stash of illegal weapons and a replica RCMP cruiser,
> which were used in the killings of 22 people.
>
> The commission also plans to question Wiley about his involvement in
> the case of Susie Butlin, a Tatamagouche woman who was killed by her
> neighbour in September 2017 after reporting him to RCMP for sexual
> assault and harassment.
>
> When Butlin called the RCMP in August 2017 to report harassing
> messages from her neighbour, Wiley was assigned as the lead
> investigator. He discussed the messages with Butlin, and determined
> there was no basis to lay a criminal charge.
>
> The commission wouldn't take questions Friday afternoon, but senior
> commission counsel Emily Hill released a video statement noting the
> public and media could still attend the proceedings on Tuesday.
>
> "The difference in this case is that video will not be posted after on
> our website or published by the media or by the public," they said.
>
> "This is in response to an accommodation request … accommodations are
> granted to ensure the commission receives the best information from
> witnesses."
> Other accommodations
>
> Hill said the request concerns personal health information and the
> commission could not discuss specifics.
>
> This is the most significant accommodation the commission has made for
> any witness who has testified.
>
> In May, the commission allowed two senior RCMP officers to answer
> questions in recorded sessions rather than testifying in front of a
> roomful of participants and lawyers.
>
> Some lawyers representing families of the victims boycotted the
> commission proceedings because they were not permitted to directly
> question Andy O'Brien, now retired, and Staff Sgt. Brian Rehill.
> Neither session was live streamed.
>
>
> ABOUT THE AUTHOR
> Ruth Davenport
>
> Producer, CBC Nova Scotia
>
> Ruth Davenport is a producer for CBC Nova Scotia. She has been
> covering news in Halifax for 20 years.
>
> CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
>
>
> https://globalnews.ca/news/9103514/nova-scotia-shooting-inquiry-video-audio-testimony-rcmp-officer/
>
>
> N.S. shooting inquiry bans sharing video, audio in testimony of RCMP
> officer
> By Karla Renić Global News
> Posted September 2, 2022 6:22 pm
>
> Click to play video: 'Inquiry into N.S. shooting enters final phase'
> The public inquiry into the Nova Scotia mass shooting resumed Monday,
> when the commission began the third and final phase of its work.
> Graeme Benjamin has more on what to expect as the inquiry nears its
> conclusion.
>
> The inquiry into the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting will hear from an
> RCMP officer who made repeated visits to the gunman’s home next week,
> but media will not be allowed to broadcast any video or audio from
> that appearance.
>
> The Mass Casualty Commission has granted an accommodation to Const.
> Greg Wiley, stationed in Bible Hill, N.S., who had repeated contact
> with the gunman in the years leading up to the massacre in April 2020.
>
> The inquiry has previously heard that Const. Wiley was a friend of
> Gabriel Wortman, and had investigated him after police received a
> report that he was threatening to kill his parents. Wiley told
> commission investigators he had a good rapport with the killer and
> visited his residence around 15 times, but never noticed anything
> unusual.
>
> Read more: RCMP who responded to N.S. mass shooting linked to murder
> case under federal review
>
> Wiley is also among three officers named in a 2018 police review of
> the gaps in the RCMP’s response to the murder case of Susie Butlin.
>
> Now, Wiley has been granted special arrangements to facilitate his
> testimony, allowing him to appear virtually, but the testimony will
> not be streamed on the commission website.
>
> The commission has also agreed that video and audio can’t be shared or
> published in any way, including by the media.
>
> Read more: N.S. mass shooting probe told cultural shift needed to
> address gender-based violence
>
> This is the first accommodation of this type for the inquiry.
>
> “Accommodations are granted to ensure the commission receives the best
> information from witnesses,” said Emily Hill, the senior commission
> counsel Friday evening.
>
> “Because accommodation requests contain personal health information,
> we cannot discuss the specifics of these requests.”
>
> Violations of the ban could result in a charge under Section 127 of
> the Criminal Code, the commission said.
>
> However, the testimony will be available for media and the public to
> watch in real time.
>
> The public can request a Zoom link to view Wiley’s testimony by
> emailing heather.decoste@masscasualtycommission.ca.
>
> https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/no-public-broadcast-for-rcmp-officer-s-testimony-about-n-s-mass-shooter-1.6054691
>
>
> No public broadcast for RCMP officer's testimony about N.S. mass shooter
> Commissioners Leanne Fitch, Michael MacDonald, chair, and Kim Stanton,
> left to right, listen to testimony at the Mass Casualty Commission
> inquiry into the mass murders in rural Nova Scotia on April 18/19,
> 2020, in Halifax on Monday, July 11, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew
> Vaughan Commissioners Leanne Fitch, Michael MacDonald, chair, and Kim
> Stanton, left to right, listen to testimony at the Mass Casualty
> Commission inquiry into the mass murders in rural Nova Scotia on April
> 18/19, 2020, in Halifax on Monday, July 11, 2022. THE CANADIAN
> PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
>
>
> Lyndsay Armstrong
> The Canadian Press
> Staff Contact
> Published Sept. 3, 2022 3:10 p.m. ADT
>
>
> HALIFAX -
>
> The testimony of an RCMP officer once described by another police
> officer as a "friend" of the man behind the 2020 mass shooting in Nova
> Scotia will not be publicly broadcast when he appears before the
> inquiry investigating the rampage.
>
> The commission probing the mass shooting in rural Nova Scotia that
> left 22 people dead issued a written decision on Friday saying Const.
> Greg Wiley will answer questions via video, but his testimony will not
> be available to the public in real-time. Instead, a transcript of his
> remarks will be posted to the commission's website.
>
> He will be the first witness to speak before the mass casualty
> commission whose testimony will not be aired on the livestream that
> has been used throughout the proceedings.
>
> "In order to receive the best information possible from Const. Wiley,
> we have directed that Const. Wiley's testimony not be webcast and a
> transcript be posted on the website," the decision reads.
>
> The request for accommodation was made by the federal Attorney General
> and means that video and audio of Wiley's answers "shall not be
> disseminated, released, published, or shared."
>
> The commission said Wiley's scheduled Zoom appearance can be viewed by
> inquiry participants, media and members of the public who request to
> watch the virtual testimony. Live audio access to the proceedings will
> also be available by phone.
>
> Wiley is the officer who was asked in 2010 to look into whether
> Gabriel Wortman -- the gunman behind the deadly shooting spree -- had
> firearms at his home in Portapique, N.S. when Wortman had threatened
> to kill his parents.
>
> The investigation into the alleged death threat did not lead to any
> charges.
>
> In his interview last year, Wiley told the commission's investigators
> he had a good rapport with Wortman and that they often had brief
> "chinwags" at the killer's residence. Wiley estimated he visited
> Wortman in the "ballpark" of 15 occasions over the years, but he said
> he hadn't noticed anything unusual.
>
> According to a report shared by the inquiry in May, the Halifax
> Regional Police service led the 2010 investigation into Wortman's
> threats against his parents. The investigating officer, now-retired
> sgt. Cordell Poirier, had referred to Wiley as a "friend" of Wortman,
> the report said. Poirier had said he asked Wiley on several occasions
> to visit Wortman's Portapique residence to check for firearms and to
> determine if a search warrant was needed.
>
> Wortman's spouse, Lisa Banfield, told the inquiry on July 15 that
> Wiley had come to the Portapique property in June 2010 to see if there
> were guns at the residence. Wiley's visit came after Wortman's
> threats.
>
> Banfield said Wiley was shown antique guns in the house during a visit
> that lasted 10 minutes.
>
> During his interview last year with lawyers for the public inquiry,
> Wiley was unable to recall details of the June 2010 investigation. In
> a followup letter to the inquiry, a lawyer for the RCMP said Wiley no
> longer had his notes from that time.
>
> Wiley is also connected to a 2017 murder case that is under federal review.
>
> Susie Butlin, from Bayhead, N.S., had complained to the RCMP about
> being sexually assaulted and harassed by Ernest Ross Duggan before he
> killed her in September 2017. In August of that year, Wiley received
> Butlin's complaints of harassment and was assigned as lead
> investigator.
>
> According to the internal police report, Wiley "determined there was
> no basis for charges" and advised her to block Duggan on Facebook.
>
> The investigation into Butlin's death is now under a federal civilian
> review examining the RCMP's response to her complaints and the
> adequacy of its handling of sexual assault investigations.
>
> Wiley is scheduled to answer questions from the commission on Tuesday
> afternoon.
>
> The commission has previously allowed accommodations for RCMP
> witnesses. In May it allowed two senior Mounties to answer questions
> in recorded sessions instead of testifying before lawyers and
> participants.
>
> This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 3, 2022.
>
> This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and
> Canadian Press News Fellowship.
>
 
↧

Rise in crime, greater severity play role in N.B. court delays, say defence lawyers

March 20, 2023, 12:01 pm
$
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0
 

Rise in crime, greater severity play role in N.B. court delays, say defence lawyers

Crime severity index seeing year-over-year increases, according to Statistics Canada


Aidan Cox· CBC News ·
Delays in a few recent cases have led to stays, which effectively bring proceedings to an end, but with no definitive outcome for the accused or victims. (Edwin Hunter/CBC)
 
As more criminal charges get stayed because of court delays in New Brunswick, defence lawyers are pointing to an increase in crime as a big contributing factor. 

Alison Ménard, a Moncton defence lawyer, said she's dealt with two cases since last month that ended with a judge staying the charges against her clients.

The most recent one was a summary charge of sexual touching of a minor, which was stayed in court on Monday, and the other case, for an impaired driving charge, was stayed in February, Ménard said.

She said they were both stayed by Moncton provincial court Judge Luc Labonté after he found there'd been unreasonable delays in getting the cases to trial, thus violating the charter rights of the accused.

On top of her own cases, Ménard said she's also spoken to four other defence lawyers who've each led cases where charges were stayed since December.

A femal lawyer speaking to media, surrounded by crowd Moncton lawyer Alison Ménard says she's seeing more complex crimes in Moncton, leading to more pressure on court resources and to delays in getting matters to trial. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)

The stay effectively brings the court proceeding to an end, but with no definitive outcome for the accused or victim.

Ménard said delays caused by COVID-19 deserve part of the blame in delaying court proceedings, but a rise in crime seems to have made that worse.

"Statistically, we're told that there's not more crime, but anecdotally, those of us in the [justice] system can certainly tell you the violence related to crime has increased," she said.

"[Crime] has become more complex in the Moncton area. I'm sure in other areas as well — like charges are more serious."

The idea that more crime is clogging up court resources, leading to more charges being stayed, is shared by other defence lawyers from other parts of New Brunswick, and can be backed up by data showing crime is increasing in the province.

Statistics Canada tracks crimes reported to police, and compiles that data to create what it calls its crime severity index, which is a measure of both the amount of crime reported by police, and the relative seriousness of the crimes.

According to the federal agency, New Brunswick's crime severity index has gone up every year in recent years, from 61.56 in 2016, to 88.48 in 2021.

And last year, Statistics Canada reported that Moncton had the third-highest police-reported crime rate in Canada for 2021, after Kelowna, B.C., and Lethbridge, Alta.

"The crime is — no question in my mind — increasing," said Fredericton criminal defence lawyer TJ Burke.

A man stands outside a building. Fredericton lawyer TJ Burke says he's higher levels of crime in recent years, and thinks the province needs to better fund the justice system. (Shane Fowler/CBC)

"I've seen more impaired driving cases in the last two years, three years … than I've seen in the last 20 years. I've seen more sexual assaults in the last three or four years than I have in the last 20-plus years, and I've seen more guns involved in drug charges than I've seen in my entire career."

Burke said this increase has added pressure to the courts, with trials now being scheduled a year in advance, whereas it took half as long just a few years ago.

As many as four of his cases ended in charges being stayed in the last two years because of court delays, including a charge of sexual assault that was stayed last October.

"I wouldn't certainly say it's an epidemic, but I can say that it is happening."

Hampton-based criminal defence lawyer David Lutz said he hasn't had any cases result in charges being stayed, but he  has seen how clogged up the courts have become in recent years.

"I have never seen so much criminal activity in my 46 years as I'm seeing right now," Lutz said.

A man with glasses and a moustache sits in front of a bookshelf. Hampton lawyer David Lutz says in his 46 years of practice, he's never seen as much crime as there is now, and that's creating delays in the province's courthouses. (CBC )

Lutz said a rise in illegal drugs — namely crystal meth — has led to police laying more charges against people for possessing and distributing it, as well as for committing other crimes to obtain it. 

"It's generally overwhelming … so yes, that is contributing tremendously [to court delays]."

Solutions to the delays

Ménard said she thinks Crown prosecutors could do more to prevent charges from being stayed.

In her most recent case, she said, Labonté ruled that there's no reason the Crown can't "triage" cases so that those deemed more serious get dealt with ahead of others deemed less so.

"And maybe that's one of the remedies for it as an emergency, but in the longer term, I think they're going to have to find more solutions to making this happen quicker," she said.

Last month, Shara Munn, the president of the New Brunswick Crown Prosecutors Association, said staffing shortages for prosecutors had become a crisis in recent years, contributing to the delays in the justice system, and charges ultimately being stayed.

Burke, who served as New Brunswick's attorney general from 2006 to 2009, agreed that the Department of Justice deserves more funding to help speed up legal proceedings.

"I think the government is going to have to wake up and say, look, we've got a serious issue out here on the streets," Burke said. 

"And the only way that I think you can address it is resource properly, which means more Crown prosecutors … and then the appointment of more judges to give the system more judicial resources."

Justice officials to talk to Crowns

CBC News asked for an interview with Justice Minister Ted Flemming about what the province is doing to reduce delays in the province's courts.

In an email, spokesperson Geoffrey Downey said Flemming was unavailable for an interview.

Downey said the department is talking with the New Brunswick Crown Prosecutors Association to better understand their perspective.

"This is an important conversation," Downey said. "Neither the department nor the association has any interest in Crown resources getting stretched so thin its effectiveness is compromised."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Aidan Cox

Journalist

Aidan Cox is a journalist for the CBC based in Fredericton. He can be reached at aidan.cox@cbc.ca and followed on Twitter @Aidan4jrn.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
56 Comments
 
 
 
David Amos 

Methinks everybody must know what a joke this article is to me N'esy Pas? 
 
 
 
 
Shawn Tabor  
This was inevitable. Nobody to blame but ourselves. But you know the adage, who gives a ____. Bet folks care now. We had it coming. Just need the correct folks to be the victims of crime, thats all. 
 
 
David Amos 
 
Reply to Shawn Tabor
Duhhh???
↧

Property tax assessment for Irving paper mill in Saint John among lowest in Canada

March 21, 2023, 6:58 am
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Property tax assessment for Irving paper mill in Saint John among lowest in Canada

Closed paper mill in B.C. valued to be worth 5 times more than operating mill in N.B.

 
Robert Jones· CBC News ·
The Irving Paper mill in Saint John is New Brunswick's largest. Its assessed value has been lowered more than 58 per cent since 2012, reducing its annual tax bill to the city by $910,000. (Roger Cosman/CBC)
 
Service New Brunswick's recent decision to retract $3.5 million of a $3.7 million assessment increase it had given J.D. Irving Ltd.'s Saint John paper mill in 2021 for economic reasons is the third major valuation reduction the facility has gotten from the agency in the last decade.

The provincial body is not saying much about how it came to that decision, citing "assessment market analysis" it does annually, but the cumulative effect of reductions since 2012 has left the mill with one of the lower property tax valuations in the country for its size. 

That has eroded the amount of tax the mill pays to  Saint John  — from $1.58 million in 2012 to $670,000 this year — and Mayor Donna Reardon said there is little the city can do but hope Service New Brunswick has been valuing the property in a reasonable way.

"I don't know how they figure it out," said Reardon in an interview.

A woman standing outside by a car and a tree. She is wearing sunglasses, a pink scarf and a black jacket. Saint John Mayor Donna Reardon would like more details from Service New Brunswick about why it has again lowered the assessed value of the Irving Paper mill. (CBC)

"It would be interesting to look across the country and see how assessments [on mills] are done."

Irving Paper is New Brunswick's largest forestry mill, with an annual production capacity of 410,000 tonnes of specialty paper. 

According to the company's current "sustainability report," production levels have been strong in recent years, with 388,974 tonnes of paper manufactured in 2021, just under 95 per cent of full output.

Still, for 2023 the mill is assessed for taxes to be worth $24.3 million, 41 per cent of what its taxable value was back in 2012. 

Last week the company said that ongoing devaluation is justified "given economic challenges in the paper industry, including consumers' growing reliance on screens over paper."

But not every province adjusts the assessment value of business properties based on market up and downs.

The front of the Service New Brunswick corporate services building. Service New Brunswick recently retracted most of a $3.7 million assessment increase it gave the Irving paper mill in Saint John in 2021. It has been reluctant to explain what happened, in detail. (Karissa Donkin/CBC News)

In Powell River, B.C., the Catalyst paper mill also produces specialty paper and has an annual production capacity of 330,000 tonnes. It, too, has been facing significant problems but is valued for property taxes in 2023 to be worth $124.5 million.

In December 2021, the mill's owner, Paper Excellence, announced that "ongoing contraction of global paper markets and paper prices" had been causing the mill to lose money and was forcing a shutdown. 

The mill hasn't operated for more than a year because of that, but has still retained its assessed value and this year is scheduled to pay $3.3 million in property tax, mostly to Powell River.

In an email, BC Assessment's Tim Morrison said the agency "must strictly follow" rules set in regulation, and those don't include provisions for helping a mill financially through the assessment system by lowering its taxable value.

"We cannot consider doing anything outside of the regulations," said Morrison.

Similarly in Prince George, B.C., three pulp and paper mills owned by the forestry company Canfor are being assessed this year at values between $63 million and $98 million, even though two have recently announced production cuts caused by wood shortages.

"This has had a material impact on the availability of residual fibre for our pulp facilities and we need to right-size our operating platform," said Canfor president Kevin Edgson, in January, about a decision to end pulp production at the Prince George Pulp and Paper Mill.

That is different than how mill valuations have been working in New Brunswick.

In 2019, Service New Brunswick explained to MLAs that sweeping assessment reductions it made for all pulp and paper mills in the province in 2013 were based mostly on external market issues facing the industry.

A paper mill with blue water to the left of it. There are trees branches covered in green leaves in the foreground. The Catalyst Paper Mill in Powell River, B.C., is assessed for taxes by BC Assessment to be worth $124.5 million, even though it has not operated for a year. The amount is five times what Service New Brunswick values the Irving Paper mill in Saint John. (Submitted by Eldon Haggarty)

Several mills in Ontario legally fought for and won assessment discounts from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation that Service New Brunswick said it was obliged to duplicate.

"If we are to ignore the court-precedented decisions that are being made throughout Canada, then we are going to look foolish," said then-executive director of assessment for Service New Brunswick, Stephen Ward.   

"We had to take a stand. We had to revalue these properties."

One of those Ontario facilities was the pulp and paper mill in Thunder Bay. It had its assessment cut from $72.2 million to $32.6 million following lengthy hearings in 2014 that focused on a variety of economic problems facing the mill.   

 An aerial view of a multi-building paper plant.The Domtar plant in Windsor, Que., is assessed for taxes by the regional municipality of Le Val-Saint-François to be worth $96 million. The amount is $93 per tonne of the facility's annual capacity. Irving Paper in Saint John is assessed at $59 per tonne of its annual capacity. (Radio-Canada)

However, this year the Thunder Bay mill's assessed value has rebounded to $40.5 million.

In New Brunswick two of the six mills that had assessment cuts in 2013 have since returned to their 2012 valuations, but four have not. 

In Irving Paper's case, it had a second assessment reduction after 2016. Its current valuation, at $24.3 million, is the equivalent of $59 per tonne of its annual capacity and is now the lowest among New Brunswick mills.

On a per tonne basis, it is also at the low end of taxable values given to pulp and paper mills in other provinces, including British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Reardon said if that lower valuation is justified, a fuller explanation from Service New Brunswick about why it recently cut the mill's 2021 assessment increase by $3.5 million would be helpful.

"We need more transparency," she said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Robert Jones

Reporter

Robert Jones has been a reporter and producer with CBC New Brunswick since 1990. His investigative reports on petroleum pricing in New Brunswick won several regional and national awards and led to the adoption of price regulation in 2006.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
53 Comments
 
 
 
David Amos
Methinks Mr Jones plays his part in the circus quite well much to the chagrin of the Irving Clan and all their political pals N'esy Pas?  
 
 
 
 
Kyle Woodman 
Is Irving still dumping poison into the river from the mill. Can we tax their poisonous effluent? What is the cost of Irving destroying the environment? Surely it is more than their tax contributions. Why does black sludge pour out of the mill at lake Utopia? Does their tax payments equal the cost of the potential disaster when the levee breaks?  
 
 
David Amos

Reply to Kyle Woodman  
Methinks it is interesting that you dudes can post stuff like this and yet I am often blocked N'esy Pas? 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Kyle Woodman 
Why do my taxes go up when the Irving's taxes go down?  
 
 
David Amos

Reply to Kyle Woodman 
Duhhh???
 
 
William Peters 
Reply to Kyle Woodman  
Because your fellow man rushes to go work for the Empire. Those jobs represent revenue for governments. What the Empire does is irrelevant to politicians and economists who scrutinize only the numbers next to the dollar signs. We need the money to pay for the Empire's business infrastructure and subsidy. Without it the Irvings would be uncompetitive and people would be tasked with inventing work. They'd much rather just be handed a paycheck and pretend all is fine in NB. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
John Cash
Good to have friends in high places.....  
 
 
David Amos

Reply to John Cash 
You should know
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marc Martin
* Service New Brunswick's recent decision to retract $3.5 million of a $3.7 million assessment * that kind of decision is done at the Premier level.... 
 
 
Tim Lingley
Reply to Marc Martin
Yep. Given the financial impact, I find it hard to believe that anyone besides the top level decision makers would have a say on this. 
 
 
Kyle Woodman 
Reply to Marc Martin 
Yeah this has premiers office written all over it.  
 
 
Samual Johnston 
Reply to Kyle Woodman
as in the generic office perhaps --- it has politics written all over it -- politics as in no matter who is in power - corporations get special treatment aka $$ 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Kyle Woodman 
Hmmm
 
 
Donald LeBlanc 
Reply to Marc Martin
Another scenario that shows NB needs a “Uniformity Clause” like every other Province. And probably one that shows why we don’t.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jack Bell
"I don't know how they figure it out"

Maybe if you can't figure out what's going on, you're part of the problem.

¯\(°_o)/¯

 
David Amos
Reply to Jack Bell  
C'est Vrai 
 
 
 
 
 
 
John Hale 
Just try to remember that it really doesn't matter if it is the Liberals or the Conservatives, The same situation always exists. The province is run by certain industrial corporations.  
 
 
Douglas James  
Reply to John Hale
And yet citizens refuse to seriously look at alternative parties who might just be willing to crack down on corporate welfare and other systemic abuses. 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Douglas James
Too Too Funny 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shawn Tabor
Here we go again. Wecome to NB the place to be,,,, Have a great safe day. 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Shawn Tabor  
Yea Right
 
 
 
 
 
 
Al Clark
Congrats Bullwinkle! Oily's boy done good, eh? ;-) 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Al Clark
So you say EH? 
 
 
 
↧
↧

After 2 larger-than-expected surpluses, New Brunswick budget due Tuesday

March 21, 2023, 8:13 am
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 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/provincial-budget-nb-1.6784659

 

After 2 larger-than-expected surpluses, New Brunswick budget due Tuesday

Province has underestimated revenues two years in a row, leading to big surpluses and more pressure to spend

 
acques Poitras· CBC News ·
Steeves offered only vague clues Monday about where he expects revenues to be in the coming year. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
 
The real question about Tuesday's provincial budget will be how inaccurate the Higgs government's projected surplus figure will be. 

For two straight years, Finance Minister Ernie Steeves has underestimated how much revenue the province would collect and what that would mean for its bottom line.

And with hundreds of millions of extra dollars in revenue expected again in the coming year, economist Richard Saillant says it would be absurd for the government to lowball its figures for a third straight year.

"I think the government faces an embarrassment of riches," he said.

"Without doing something major in terms of spending growth or tax cuts, they can't declare a modest projected surplus without completely losing the bit of credibility they have left on fiscal forecasting."

A man in a dark blue suit and a blue tie sits at a computer terminal, facing the camera with a smile. Economist Richard Saillant says several factors have contributed to higher than projected revenue — but it's getting harder for the government to claim those factors are unforeseeable. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

Two years ago, Steeves budgeted for a deficit of $244.8 million but, thanks to a rebound in spending after pandemic lockdowns, the year ended with a surplus of $777.3 million — a turnaround of more than a billion dollars. 

Last year, Steeves projected a modest surplus of $35.2 million. The province's most recent estimate last month has it at a record $862.2 million.

That's a total inaccuracy of $1.8 billion over two years.

"I think our projections have been along the lines with a lot of the projections in Canada," Steeves told reporters Monday.

"Everybody missed the mark, some more, some less. We were right in the middle of the pack."

Steeves offered only vague clues Monday about where he expects revenues to be in the coming year, never mind what he'll do with it.

"We will continue to be the government we have always been. You've seen how we've reacted over the last five years, the last five budgets, and we will continue with that," he said.

'It's about health'

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation says the government "is certainly in a position to deliver back to taxpayers." 

Acting Atlantic director Jay Goldberg says he urged Steeves during a recent pre-budget meeting to cut taxes, particularly the provincial portion of the harmonized sales tax.

Reducing it from 10 to eight per cent would cost $400 to $600 million, within the current year's surplus.

But social activists and public-sector unions say Steeves should instead spend more in areas like housing and health care. 

A man wears a dark jacket and light blue shirt. He has a mustache and silver hair. Stephen Drost, president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees in New Brunswick, said the government appears to have 'turned its back on everyday people.' (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

"We're really hoping that this government's going to see that it's not just about wealth, it's about health," said Stephen Drost, the president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees in New Brunswick.

Drost took part in a pre-budget rally in downtown Moncton organized by the Common Front for Social Justice.

They unfurled a banner with the message "For a just and equitable society" from a railway overpass.

"The last three or four budgets really have done nothing for the most vulnerable and the innocent people in our communities," Drost said.

"It really looks like this government has turned its back on everyday people." 

Saillant says several factors have contributed to higher than projected revenue — but it's getting harder and harder for the government to claim those factors are unforeseeable.

Four people stand on a sidewalk in winter coats, two people are holding a white banner that says N.B. Common Front for Social Justice in black lettering. About 20 people gathered in downtown Moncton on Monday. They want the Higgs government to tackle issues that directly affect citizens, such as labor and housing crises, rather than the province's debt. (Oceane Doucet/Radio-Canada)

Higher prices due to inflation means more sales tax revenue, and more people moving to the province means more income tax revenue.

And while both of those may start to level off in the coming year, Saillant says they won't go down.

"If they say that own-source revenues will decline over the next year, we should not take the government too seriously," he said.

"I would view, as a baseline scenario, continued robust revenue growth in the years ahead." 

Steeves said Monday it's hard to plan on continuing population growth "because it's a new thing."

Population growth also means higher federal transfer payments, since they are based largely on population.

Statistics Canada now estimates New Brunswick's population at 825,000 people, fuelled mainly by immigration and by people moving here from large Ontario cities to escape soaring housing costs.

"No one knows if or when these flows will stop, but I anticipate that there's still quite a bit of runway for revenue growth coming from that area, and once you have that strong population growth, you have strong transfer growth," Saillant said.

Federal funding hike

On top of growth in transfers based on population, New Brunswick is also in line for a generous increase in federal funding for health care.

Premier Blaine Higgs recently said yes to an offer of a hike in transfers that he estimated would bring the province another $200 million in the coming year.

Plus, there's an agreement for extra money for health innovation worth $900 million over 10 years. 

While the year-by-year breakdown isn't known yet, it includes a minimum annual base amount of $50 million for small provinces like New Brunswick.

That should, in theory, translate to at least $250 million more for health care in Tuesday's budget, though Saillant says nothing forces Higgs to spend every dollar he gets.

"It's been extremely hard to impose conditions," he said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Jacques Poitras

Provincial Affairs reporter

Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in Ottawa for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on every New Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and Amnesty International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books about New Brunswick politics and history.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

 

 

 147 Comments


David Amos
Methinks Mr Poitras plays his part in the circus quite well much to the chagrin of Higgy et al N'esy Pas? 
 
 
David Amos
 
New Brunswick projects another small surplus after 2 years of underestimating windfall

Government says income and sales tax revenue will fall despite economic growth, inflation

Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Mar 21, 2023 1:07 PM ADT

Survey Says???

 
 
 
 
 
 
Lou Bell  
So much burden has been placed on every taxpayer in NB by our burgeoning debt ! The 2 million dollars savings from the debt repayment will save most taxpayers hundreds in savings that can go where needed , be it lower taxes , Health , Education , repayment , all sorts of things . Under a Liberal regime that would have been spent on such things as 130 million towards their " Phonie Games " , millions spent on Nursing seats that never produced even one seat at our NB Universities and Gawd knows where else ! And by now we'd have been at well over 15 billion in debt ! 

 
John Smith
Reply to Lou Bell 
PS it is 2 billion, not million. Try reading the article a couple more times. 
 

John Smith
Reply to Lou Bell 
Also, the province is just under 12 billion in debt thanks to past provincial governments that couldn't spike your economy or collect a fair share in taxes from local large corporations. 
 
 
John Smith
Reply to Lou Bell 
You must not have figured out the surplus is related to federal liberal economic policy and not at all related to the current provincial government. The federal government currently in power was able to grow every province's economy, whereas the last federal leader was only able to grow Alberta's and he was an economist. You have a federal government that cares about your province for once.  
 
 
David Amos

Reply to Lou Bell
Methinks you like to play "Phonie Games" too N'esy Pas? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alex Scott 
so every year that we pay off 700 million a year....roughly how much interest does the province save? 


Samual Champlain 
Reply to Alex Scott  
There was an article in this site not long ago detailing the savings we are enjoying thanks to our paid down debt. We should get to 11.6 billion with our next payment, I believe it equated to around $70 million saved/year.  
 
 
David Amos

Reply to Alex Scott 
Read my earlier comments if you truly care  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dennis Woodman  
This story is a good example about how shortsighted people are. The province does not have a surplus of money. Their debt grew for 12 straight years and they have a debt of 14 billion. Use the surplus to pay down the debt, it will save paying all that interest, and leave the next generation in better shape. 
 
 
Samual Champlain 
Reply to Dennis Woodman  
Actually, we should be below $12 billion after our next payment. Each year this gov't is in power means our future generations are in that much better shape. 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Dennis Woodman 
Its not rocket science 
 
 



 

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Trudeau's chief of staff Katie Telford to testify at committee probing Chinese government interference

March 21, 2023, 9:51 am
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Trudeau's chief of staff Katie Telford to testify at committee probing Chinese government interference

Conservative motion will be voted on later today

 
Catharine Tunney· CBC News ·
Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister Katie Telford arrives to appear as a witness at the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa, on Nov 24, 2022. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)
 
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's chief of staff has agreed to testify before one of the committees investigating the extent of the Chinese government's interference in Canada's elections — and what the Liberal government knew about it.

"While there are serious constraints on what can be said in public about sensitive intelligence matters, in an effort to make Parliament work, [Katie] Telford has agreed to appear at the procedure and House affairs committee as part of their study," says a Tuesday statement from the Prime Minister's Office.

The decision clears a logjam at the procedure and House affairs committee (PROC), where Liberal MPs have been filibustering over the past two weeks to stall a vote on calling Telford to appear.

The committee resumed Tuesday morning.

WATCH | Telford a 'critical witness,' says Conservative MP:

Katie Telford is 'a critical witness' on election interference: Conservative MP

Duration 0:41
St-Albert Edmonton Conservative MP Michael Cooper introduced a motion to force the prime minister's Chief of Staff Katie Telford to testify at committee on election interference.

Committee member and Conservative MP Michael Cooper, who first floated the motion, has called Telford "a critical witness to get to the heart of this scandal."

"Namely, what does the prime minister know, when did he learn about it, and what did he do, or fail to do, about Beijing's election interference?" he said Monday.

Public and political interest in foreign election interference has intensified since the Globe and Mail alleged that China tried to ensure that the Liberals won a minority government in the last general election. The newspaper also published reports saying Beijing worked to defeat Conservative candidates who were critical of China.

Back in the fall, Global News reported that intelligence officials warned Trudeau that China's consulate in Toronto floated cash to at least 11 federal election candidates "and numerous Beijing operatives" who worked as campaign staffers.

Trudeau has repeatedly said he was never been briefed about federal candidates receiving money from China.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) calls foreign interference activities by the Chinese government the "greatest strategic threat to national security."

An independent panel tasked with overseeing the 2021 election did detect attempts at interference but concluded that foreign meddling did not affect the outcome.

A separate motion will be voted on later today in the House of Commons calling for Telford to testify before another committee — the standing committee on access to information, privacy and ethics — no later than April 14, and to answer questions for three hours regarding China's alleged efforts to interfere in Canadian elections.

Trudeau said the vote will not be a vote of confidence in his minority government, pushing off speculation about an early election for the time being.

The motion, moved by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, also invites a number of a cabinet ministers and officials to testify, including Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino and Canadian Security Intelligence Service director David Vigneault.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Catharine Tunney

Reporter

Catharine Tunney is a reporter with CBC's Parliament Hill bureau, where she covers national security and the RCMP. She worked previously for CBC in Nova Scotia. You can reach her at catharine.tunney@cbc.ca

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
 
1469 Comments
 
 
 
 
Jeff Laidlaw 
It's a confidence matter to me
Any government that would filibuster oversight into national security issues will never have my confidence or vote ever again.
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Jeff Laidlaw 
Good for you  
 
 
 
 
 
Pete Gingras 
Looks like Singh grew a pair and called Trudeaus bluff last night. Warm up those vocals, Katie.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Pete Gingras
Dream on  
 
 
 
 
 
Boyd Payne 
Don't worry Trudeau, I have 0 confidence in you and your Liberals.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Boyd Payne 
Does anyone?  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Archie Levesque 
Did you know, that if you dont believe exactly everything the Liberals want you to you are now considered a "Flat Earther"? 
 
 
 Steve Saunders 
Reply to Archie Levesque
I'd rather be called a flat earther than a liberal any day of the week...   
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Steve Saunders
Me Too 
 
 
 
 
 
scott barclay
Summary: Jag has agreed to vote against it, so there is no need to make it a confidence vote.  
 
 
Robert Colpitts
Reply to scott barclay  
Jagmeet Singh just announced he will support the Conservative motion this afternoon if the Liberals do not stop their filibuster in committee immediately, as in right now. The committee is meeting now. So by the end of today, Telford will be on a list to testify. 
 
 
scott barclay
Reply to Robert Colpitts
Good news. So that's why its not a nonconfidence vote.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to scott barclay
Methinks most folks would have loved to witness a nonconfidence vote today N'esy Pas?


 

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Search

New Brunswick projects another small surplus after 2 years of underestimating windfall

March 21, 2023, 12:21 pm
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New Brunswick projects another small surplus after 2 years of underestimating windfall

Government says income and sales tax revenue will fall despite economic growth, inflation

 
Jacques Poitras· CBC News ·
After exploding budget surpluses of $777.3 million last year and $862.2 million, an all-time record, in the current fiscal year, Finance Minister Ernie Steeves says it will drop to just $40.3 million in 2023-24. (Radio-Canada)
 
The Higgs government is projecting another small budget surplus in the coming year, despite projections of continued economic growth and increases in household incomes.

After exploding budget surpluses of $777.3 million last year and $862.2 million, an all-time record, in the current fiscal year, Finance Minister Ernie Steeves says it will drop to just $40.3 million in 2023-24.

Steeves told reporters that's because a lot of the revenue driving up the current surplus was due to one-time anomalies not guaranteed to repeat themselves in the coming year.

"We ran into some oddities last year," he said, referring to adjustments to federal calculations that added $433 million in unexpected income tax revenue and transfers due from previous years.

A man wearing a suit flipping through papers Economist Richard Saillant said even with one-time adjustments to tax calculations boosting revenue in 2022-23, the projection of what he calls a revenue 'collapse' in the coming year is unrealistic. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

"You just can't count on things. These are happening at a different pace in New Brunswick now," he said.

"You can't count on things staying status quo. It's a different time. Predicting is very hard." 

The Progressive Conservatives have faced growing pressure to spend more as a result of the two consecutive large surpluses. 

'Groundhog Day'

They've also been accused of lowballing their initial budget estimates so they can resist some of that pressure  — which economist Richard Saillant says they appear to be doing again this year.

"I think we're living in the movie Groundhog Day. I don't see anything different from the last two years," he said.

"All of the conditions are set for repeating this scenario this year." 

Saillant said even with one-time adjustments to tax calculations boosting revenue in 2022-23, the projection of what he calls a revenue "collapse" in the coming year is unrealistic. 

"I suspect this is once again being overly pessimistic with regards to revenue growth," he said.

The government attributes the projected drop in revenue to several factors, including an income tax cut announced last year worth $70 million, and the loss of $166 million in carbon taxes due to New Brunswick's coming shift to the federal pricing system.

The one-time adjustment to current-year revenue included $200 million more in personal income tax than expected.

The budget says personal income tax revenue will drop by $116 million, and sales tax revenue will go down by $3.3 million in 2023-24.

That's despite estimates of household incomes increasing by 3.8 per cent and prices rising by 3.7 per cent — two factors that Saillant says should drive income and sales tax revenue up, not down.

The budget also projects corporate income tax revenue to drop by $318 million.

'Dangerous budget,' says Green MLA

Both opposition parties called the document a disappointment.

"It's the same old, same old," said Liberal Leader Susan Holt.

A woman with long hair wearing a grey sweater standing inside Liberal leader Susan Holt (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

"It's a missed opportunity to do something transformative for our province when they underestimate revenues in order to show up with a massive surplus next year, when New Brunswickers could use that money today."

Green MLA and finance critic Kevin Arseneau called it "a dangerous budget" because spending is growing at a rate below the rate of inflation in the last year.

"When you factor that in, it's an austerity budget. There's nothing new coming in terms of public services that are well-funded."

A man in a grey suit wearing glasses stands in front of the Canadian flag. Green MLA and finance critic Kevin Arseneau said it's an austerity budget. (Radio-Canada)

Steeves rejected suggestions the Progressive Conservatives have been overly cautious in order to avoid demands to spend more.

"I think we've spent a lot since I took this job five budgets ago — spending's up 24 per cent, we've cut taxes but spending's up 24 per cent. We've lowered deficits but we've gained population," he said.

"It's all good news. For people to say we're not spending, yes, we absolutely are and we've got the numbers to prove it."

The budget for health care is increasing by $262 million. That figure includes $72 million for the budgets of the two provincial health authorities, $39.2 million to help improve access to primary care and $29.7 million for recruitment and retention. 

Of that boost to primary care funding, $10.4 million is to increase the number of doctors working in teams and $8.5 million is to cover the higher volume of services by doctors who bill Medicare.

More for education, personal support workers

In education, the government is adding $33.3 million to pay for more teachers and classroom materials for the surge in the number of students going to school. Steeves says enrolment is up by 4,200 students this school year and is expected to jump by another 2,200 next year.

There's also $30.8 million "to improve our strong inclusive education system." 

The government was criticized earlier this year for not providing enough support for students with learning challenges. 

The budget unveils tens of millions of dollars in spending in other areas, including: 

  • $4.9 million in new money to repair existing social housing and provide more rent assistance to low-income households.

  • $5.9 million more in social assistance payments, reflecting the indexing of the amounts to inflation.

  • $44.9 million to increase wage increases for personal support workers in nursing homes, and $9.7 million for wage hikes for employees working in group homes, community residences, family support and attendant care.

  • $13.7 million so that approved caregivers can claim the same kilometre allowance paid to provincial government employees, and $8.8 million to cover increased operating costs for home support agencies. 

  • $32.6 million to fund more police time, including a 15 per cent increase in the number of RCMP officers under the province's policing contract with the federal force.

  • $3.7 million to train provincial jail staff and case managers to help inmates avoid committing new crimes.

  • $10 million for energy efficiency and conservation programs.

Jay Goldberg of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation said if the government had restrained itself and not increased spending, it could have cut the harmonized sales tax by two points, helping people deal with the increased cost of living.

"It's all a question of the government's priorities," he said.

A woman with blond hair, with her glasses on the top of her head, speaks in a crowded room.  Jan Seely, president of the New Brunswick Special Care Homes Association, said it's good to see money for wage increases for personal support workers. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

Jan Seely, president of the New Brunswick Special Care Homes Association, welcomed the funding for wage increases for support workers and the hike to the kilometre allowance. 

She called those "very reassuring" moves that will make it easier to hire workers.

But Krysta Kelly, chair of the New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity, said the total amount budgeted makes it likely "we still have a ways to go" to achieve pay equity for support care workers, who are predominantly women. 

Janelle LeBlanc of the Common Front for Social Justice said the social assistance increases and housing aid were not enough.

"For people living in poverty, there's nothing in the budget for them."

The personal income tax cuts announced in November reduced rates in all income brackets, with the biggest reduction for people earning $142,534 and $162,383 per year.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Jacques Poitras

Provincial Affairs reporter

Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in Ottawa for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on every New Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and Amnesty International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books about New Brunswick politics and history.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices|
 
 
 
62 Comments
 
 
 
David Amos
Welcome back to the circus
↧

N.B. convoy donor named as defendant in proposed class action lawsuit

March 21, 2023, 8:23 pm
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N.B. convoy donor named as defendant in proposed class action lawsuit

Brad Howland donated $75,000 to the Freedom Convoy last winter

 
Vanessa Moreau· CBC News ·
An Ottawa police officer stands near a row of protest vehicles and signs on Feb. 11, 2022. (Jean-Francois Benoit/CBC)

A New Brunswick business owner who was one of the largest financial donors to the Freedom Convoy has been named as a defendant in a class action lawsuit against the convoy organizers.

Brad Howland, who lives in Kars, N.B., and owns Easy Kleen Pressure Systems Ltd. based in Sussex Corner, donated $75,000 to the Freedom Convoy that paralyzed downtown Ottawa last winter. 

The class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of downtown Ottawa residents, businesses and employees who say the convoy disrupted their lives.

James Manson, a lawyer for Howland and other potential defendants, argued against the motion to add Howland at a hearing in January. 

In his motion, he argued that it's unreasonable to try to sue "thousands of random people around the world who merely donated money to a political cause."

Ontario regional senior justice Calum MacLeod, in his decision dated March 13, allowed the addition of the new defendants, as well as the plaintiff's motion to expand the "occupation zone", the geographic area encompassing the plaintiff cases.

"Extension of such liability to those who continued to donate funds once the nature of the activity in Ottawa became apparent may be novel but it is not impossible of success," MacLeod wrote in the decision.

MacLeod also wrote that whether or not liability could be extended to a class of donors was not an analysis that should be done at the pleading stage. 

Paul Champ, the lawyer behind the proposed class action suit, confirmed by email that the amended claim was served on Howland's legal counsel on March 14.

Neither Howland nor his lawyer responded when asked for comment on these filings.

Champ told CBC Ottawa that his team will be ready to argue for certification in the case by the end of the year.

The proposed suit is seeking a total of $290 million in general, special and punitive damages from all of the defendants, which include several high-profile leaders of the movement.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Vanessa Moreau

Reporter

Vanessa Moreau is a journalist with CBC New Brunswick in Moncton. You can send story tips to vanessa.moreau@cbc.ca.

With files from Jacques Poitras and CBC Ottawa

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 

$300M class action convoy lawsuit amended to add defendants, expand 'occupation zone'

3,000 residents added to plaintiff class, lawyer says

CBC News ·
The expanded area increases the plaintiff class in the lawsuit against convoy protest organizers to around 15,000 people, says lawyer Paul Champ. (Patrick Doyle/Reuters)

The lawyers representing Ottawa residents in the proposed $300 million class-action lawsuit against organizers of the convoy protest last year have added new defendants and expanded the "occupation zone," the geographic area encompassing the plaintiff classes.

Fundraising platform GiveSendGo, New Brunswick donor Brad Howland and Harold Jonker of Jonker Trucking Inc., have been added as named defendants.

None of the defendants added to the claim were immediately available for comment.

The area in Ottawa containing the plaintiff classes — residents, businesses and employees — has been expanded after a "large number" of residents came forward, said Paul Champ, the lawyer behind the proposed class action suit.

The zone now extends west past Bronson Avenue to Booth Street to include residential buildings on a developed section of LeBreton Flats.

In the ByWard Market, it now includes the area north of St. Patrick Street all the way to Boteler Street.

A map showing the zone considered the "occupation zone" in the class action lawsuit brought by residents of Ottawa against convoy protest organizers.     The shaded areas on the map show the new additions to the 'occupation zone' containing the plaintiff classes. (Simon Smith/CBC)

Champ estimates the expanded zone adds about 3,000 people to the plaintiff class, bringing the number to around 15,000.

He said he expects "the damages will end up going up" because the number of plaintiffs has increased.

According to Champ, everyone in the zone is automatically part of the class and doesn't need to provide their names. In the event of a settlement or an award in the case, his firm will contact people and advertise.

All in a Day 8:18 
The class-action lawsuit launched by Ottawa residents against convoy protesters has expanded

We speak with lawyer Paul Champ about those changes

Testimony during Ottawa People's Commission

Gaëlle Muderi, project co-ordinator for the Ottawa People's Commission, said they heard testimony from residents of the newly added area during their inquiry into the protests.

"The impact of the convoy extended beyond the red zone, from Lowertown to Vanier to Overbrook. So people in those communities experienced trauma, loss and harm," she said.

"These communities were deeply affected, and I think this is a move in recognition of that."

Muderi said the expanded class reflects the scope of issues residents had to deal with during the protests.

"People lost income because they couldn't get to their jobs or they had to spend in different ways to access basic necessities," she said.

"In that sense, it includes more folks. It opens up the opportunity for more folks to be heard."

Lawyer heard from 1,000 Ottawa residents

Champ said his team will be ready to argue for certification in the case by the end of the year, calling those motions "a significant point in the litigation."

"The vast majority of class actions are fought over the certification and if the class action is certified, you will often see defendants settle," he said.

Champ said his team has spoken with about 1,000 people.

"We've got really all the information and evidence that we need to establish damages and establish the harm that was caused."

Champ said this is another step in vindicating his clients.

"It seems like the convoy occupation protesters thought that they only caused people an inconvenience without recognizing that they, you know, seriously disrupted the lives of people who were really just innocent bystanders," he said.

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Friday, 6 January 2023

N.B. convoy donor fighting motion to name him in lawsuit

 

N.B. convoy donor fighting motion to name him in lawsuit

Brad Howland and other donors ‘emboldened and incited’ protests, lawyer argues

 
Jacques Poitras· CBC News ·
The convoy began parking trucks in downtown Ottawa last Jan. 28 and the protest continued until police broke it up on Feb. 19-20. (Félix Desroches/Radio-Canada)
 
A Sussex-area businessperson who was one of the largest financial donors to the Freedom Convoy is asking a court in Ontario to throw out an attempt to sue him for damages.

Brad Howland, who gave $75,000 to the convoy that paralyzed downtown Ottawa last winter, is named in a motion to designate him as the representative of everyone who gave money to support the protest.

It's part of a broader class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of downtown Ottawa residents, businesses and employees who say the convoy disrupted their lives. 

The suit wants the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to add Howland on behalf of a "donor class" of defendants.

Those who donated money online did so 'with the intention of encouraging and facilitating those acts,' lawyer Paul Champ argues in his motion. The motion will be heard in court in Ottawa Jan. 24-25. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

The motion says Howland and other donors "knew or ought to have known" that the Freedom Convoy protesters were breaking the law and disrupting the lives of residents and workers in the downtown by blasting their truck horns and spewing diesel fumes.

Those who donated money online did so "with the intention of encouraging and facilitating those acts," lawyer Paul Champ argues in his motion.

The motion will be heard in court in Ottawa Jan. 24-25. 

The allegations have not been proven in court, and James Manson, a lawyer for Howland and other potential defendants, argues that the lawsuit and the attempt to add Howland are not backed up by any evidence about specific defendants.

"The plaintiffs have, in fact, improperly sued a crowd of people without identifying who was in the crowd, or which people did what things," his motion says.

Manson argues it's unreasonable to try to sue "thousands of random people around the world who merely donated money to a political cause."

Each individual donor's personal reasons for donating to the Freedom Convoy would have to be examined, he said.

"That would be impossible."

The convoy began parking trucks in downtown Ottawa last Jan. 28, and the protest continued until police broke it up on Feb. 19-20.

Most participants wanted the federal government to end vaccine mandates for truckers, though some also called for the removal of the Trudeau government from power.

Brad Howland, who lives in Kars, owns Easy Kleen Pressure Systems Ltd. based in Sussex Corner. The businessman was identified as the second-largest donor to the convoy in leaked data from the online fundraising site GiveSendGo. (Roger Cosman/CBC)

Howland, who lives in Kars and owns Easy Kleen Pressure Systems Ltd. based in Sussex Corner, was identified as the second-largest donor to the convoy in leaked data from the online fundraising site GiveSendGo.

He travelled to Ottawa to "participate" in the convoy on Feb. 11-12, according to the motion by the plaintiffs.

Howland confirmed in a statement to CBC News last year that he had been to the protest and called it "a beautiful, legal, peaceful protest that overwhelmed us with emotion."

The business owner said his company relied on truckers, and it was important to support them. 

"Our company and my family are proud to stand with these men and women as they uphold the Charter of Rights and Freedoms of our great nation," he said.

Howland's assistant said in an email Thursday he was not available to comment on the court filings. 

Champ argues in his motion that financial donations such as Howland's "emboldened and incited" convoy participants as they made "as much noise as possible to cause discomfort and distress" for local residents "in order to coerce political leaders."

But Manson calls the claim "both ridiculous and incapable of proof.

"There is quite simply no way for the plaintiffs to ever demonstrate that all of the people who donated funds to the 'Freedom Convoy' protest 'knew or ought to have known' that those funds" would be used to fund wrongful actions, he argues.

Champ is seeking a total of $290 million in general, special and punitive damages from all of the defendants, which include several high-profile leaders of the movement. 

Champ says in his motion that Howland's company, Easy Kleen, has a 7,400-square-metre manufacturing plant and 165 employees. It operates seven offices across Canada and ships equipment worldwide.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Jacques Poitras

Provincial Affairs reporter

Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in Ottawa for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on every New Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and Amnesty International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books about New Brunswick politics and history.

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3262 Comments
 
 
David Amos
Welcome to the circus




N.B. business owner says he donated $75,000 to Freedom Convoy

A database released publicly lists Brad Howland's donation as the second-highest amount

 
Jacques Poitras, Karissa Donkin· CBC News ·
Brad Howland says he donated $75,000 to the Freedom Convoy that has gridlocked the streets of Ottawa around Parliament Hill. (Carl Bradley Howland/Facebook)
 
A business owner from the southern New Brunswick village of Sussex Corner has confirmed he made what appears to be one of the largest donations to the Freedom Convoy that has gridlocked the streets of Ottawa around Parliament Hill.

In a written statement Monday afternoon, Brad Howland, president of the pressure-washing company Easy Kleen, called the protest "a beautiful, legal, peaceful protest," which he visited on the weekend. 

"To see the love, peace, and unity that many of us have longed for, for a long time — It was an experience of a lifetime," he wrote. 

"This will go down in the history books of our nation."

In fact, the protest has forced many downtown businesses to close and violates several laws.

It's now the subject of the federal Emergencies Act, which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked on Monday.

CBC News has reviewed information that appears to identify tens of thousands of Freedom Convoy donors to the website GiveSendGo.

The data, hacked and released briefly on its front page, includes names, locations, dollar amounts, personal email addresses, even the credit card companies used for each transaction.

CBC has not been able to independently confirm if the people on the list did in fact donate to the Freedom Convoy.

Howland confirmed to CBC News that his donation was $75,000.

A database from GiveSendGo released publicly lists that as the second-highest amount of all donations.

A sign supporting truckers was visible at Easy Kleen's property near a Highway 1 off-ramp earlier this month.

Howland said in his statement that Easy Kleen has been in business for more than 40 years and has relied on truckers for deliveries to and from the factory.

Brad Howland says in his statement that Easy Kleen has been in business in the Sussex area of southern New Brunswick for more than 40 years and has relied on truckers for deliveries to and from the factory. (Roger Cosman/CBC)

He called truckers "salt of the earth people with the biggest hearts" and said the convoy is a rare opportunity to thank them.

"We are thankful to be blessed enough to support their efforts to do what they have to do in a peaceful way until the government removes the mandates to restore all our freedom as pre-COVID," he said.

Records from the federal government show that Easy Kleen has received funding from the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program, set up to help employers who have "seen a drop in revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic."

It's not clear how much the company received, but when asked about the subsidy, Howland said it was spent on wages at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.

Howland has also donated thousands of dollars to the provincial Progressive Conservatives and the federal Conservative Party since 2018, according to public records.

Distrust of vaccines

On Facebook, Howland has posted support for former U.S. president Donald Trump and about his distrust of vaccines.

"They say the Democrats are worried about outside interference in USA elections," he wrote in August 2020, in a post that was no longer public as of Monday afternoon. "They should be, from the country of Lowest of Kars we are doing just that."

On Feb. 11, Howland posted that "a truck load of us" from Kars, a community about 50 kilometres from Sussex, would be heading to Ottawa.

"It is about time we act like we own it and show them who calls the shoots [sic] and determines mandates," Howland wrote on Jan. 25, in a post that is also no longer public. "That is the people. Governments got people in fear."

WATCH | More than half of convoy donations came from U.S., hacked data shows:

More than half of convoy donations came from U.S., hacked data shows

Duration 2:01
A CBC News analysis of hacked data about those who donated to the protest convoys through GiveSendGo found more than half of the donations came from the U.S. It’s raising concern about foreign funding of political activity.

In 2009, Howland received a conditional discharge after he threatened the principal of a New Brunswick elementary school when they stopped daily singing of O Canada.

CBC reported at the time that Howland threatened to beat the principal senseless, but Howland said he meant it as a figure of speech rather than a threat.

"Other provinces adopted playing the anthem because of this situation in my life arose, which worked out very well in the end for thousands for children playing the anthem in their schools," Howland wrote to CBC when asked about the court case this week.

In total, the database shows donations from more than 500 people who used New Brunswick postal codes, but CBC cannot verify whether those individuals actually live in the province.

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With assessment underway, Nova Scotia has quietly imposed a moratorium on fish farming

March 21, 2023, 9:04 pm
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With assessment underway, Nova Scotia has quietly imposed a moratorium on fish farming

Ban doesn't apply to companies looking to lease sites for shellfish, seaweed harvesting

 
Paul Withers· CBC News ·
Aerial footage of a fish farm in Bayswater, N.S. (Steve Lawrence/CBC)
 
Nova Scotia has quietly imposed a moratorium on applications for new marine fish farms until it assesses, maps and rates the coast for suitable locations.

Since the Progressive Conservative government came to power in 2021, Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Steve Craig has not issued options to lease open-net pen sites — effectively closing the door to entrants.

He said there are companies that are interested and "I've told them all that, no, I'm not allowing any of that … at this point until we get through the coastal classification system."

The ban does not apply to companies seeking options to lease sites for shellfish and seaweed harvesting.

Coastal classification was a key recommendation in the 2014 Doelle-Lahey review of aquaculture in the province. It said coastal areas should be rated green, yellow or red based on their relative suitability for finfish aquaculture.

The report acknowledged widespread suspicion of fish farming, but concluded the risks of marine-based finfish aquaculture can be mitigated, and it has the potential to make "an important contribution to sustainable prosperity in Nova Scotia."

Coastal mapping pledge

The Progressive Conservatives pledged to implement coastal mapping for aquaculture during the 2021 election campaign.

The assessment is being carried out by the Centre for Marine Applied Research, an independent division of a provincial development agency.

The coastal classification project. with a budget of $3.65 million, is anticipated to take three years. This is the first year of the project.

The goal is to provide a detailed map of areas that are scientifically suitable for open-net pens and for other ways the ocean is being. Craig calls it a "support tool" to help adjudicate applications.

"We have 13,000 kilometres of coastline in Nova Scotia," he said. "I'd be surprised if there are a thousand suitable for marine finfish environments, 500, 100. I don't know what that number is, but I think we can get a better sense of that."

Applications for fish farms already in the queue are proceeding through the existing adjudication process.

Review board slow

"They have the right to go right through the system to the aquaculture review board for a decision — haven't touched that," Craig said.

"Where I do have full discretion is allowing people to enter into that and providing an option to lease, and I have not allowed any of those options to be had."

The province set up the arm's-length review board in 2015 and it has so far rendered just two decisions. A third application will be heard later this year.

A spokesperson for Cooke Aquaculture, the lone open-net pen salmon farm operator in Nova Scotia, says the process is incredibly slow.

An Atlantic salmon leaps while swimming inside a farm pen near Eastport, Maine, on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008. Cooke Aquaculture has a number of years-old applications to expand existing fish farms and is awaiting hearings before the aquaculture review board. (The Associated Press)

Cooke has a number of years-old applications to expand existing fish farms and is awaiting hearings before the aquaculture review board.

"It's concerning that there really essentially has been very little growth of the industry in Nova Scotia from a seafood-development perspective in the aquaculture industry for both shellfish and finfish," said Cooke spokesperson Joel Richardson.

He said Cooke plans to spend $122 million upgrading its Nova Scotia operations over the next five years.

The company has open-net pen salmon farms from just outside Halifax, at Saddle Island along the South Shore, and around the Bay of Fundy into the Digby area.

Cooke participated in a mandatory review of aquaculture regulations. The review was released Friday. It said the rules have to be streamlined to eliminate duplication.

It also called for greater transparency and public participation.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Paul Withers

Reporter

Paul Withers is an award-winning journalist whose career started in the 1970s as a cartoonist. He has been covering Nova Scotia politics for more than 20 years.

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Banks are in turmoil. Here's how Canadians might be affected

March 22, 2023, 9:38 am
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https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/banking-explainer-canadian-impact-1.6785459

 

Banks are in turmoil. Here's how Canadians might be affected

Financial tremors in U.S. and Europe bring back memories of 2008's crisis

 
Jenna Benchetrit· CBC News ·
A customer stands outside of a shuttered Silicon Valley Bank headquarters on March 10 in Santa Clara, Calif. The bank's collapse was followed by serious trouble at other regional institutions, First Republic and Signature Bank. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
 
All eyes are on the global banking sector after sudden turmoil brought down or threatened a handful of U.S. banks and one major European bank this month. 

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), followed by the near-death of two other regional institutions — First Republic and Signature Bank — left market-watchers jittery and fearful of a domino effect like the one that led to the global financial crisis of 2008.

And that was before Credit Suisse — one of the biggest banks in the world, safely housed in Switzerland of all places — came crashing down last week. What do these financial tremors mean for Canadians? 

What happened? And why?

Silicon Valley Bank, First Republic Bank, Signature Bank and Credit Suisse all faced different problems made worse by rising interest rates.

But the common thread was lack of confidence, says Pedro Antunes, chief economist at the Conference Board of Canada.

Banking is built on confidence. If depositors lose faith, panic and rush to withdraw their assets from a bank for fear of its failure — it can lead to a bank run, as with SVB. 

Sometimes, the panic spreads — often, Antunes told CBC News, by social media. Regulators around the world are now trying to contain the spread to prevent the collapse of additional banks.

WATCH | Central banks try to halt crisis:

Global central banks band together to prevent crisis

Duration 2:19
Global central banks have banded together to reassure world markets and prevent the spread of the banking crisis that started with the collapse of two regional U.S. banks earlier this month from spreading.

Have we seen this before?

Lawmakers such as U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen have pushed back on the idea that these incidents echo the onset of the global financial crisis of the late 2000s. SVB's failure was the largest collapse of a U.S. banking institution since Washington Mutual — among many others — went under in 2008.

Shortly after longtime rival UBS agreed to buy Credit Suisse, central banks around the world — including the Bank of Canada — said they would intervene by offering cash and other support to banks, again in hope of halting the spread of failure and stabilizing the market.

Similar measures were taken in 2008. But this is not a repeat of that crisis, says Karl Schamotta, chief market strategist at Toronto global payment company Corpay.

"Things are far more regulated today," Schamotta said, though there are concerns about a slowdown in economic growth.

"The issues that caused the 2008 crisis — massive derivatives use, lots and lots of exposure to the U.S. housing market — those are not present this time around."

How does this affect Canada?

Canadians don't have much to worry about, according to Schamotta, because our banking system is "far more secure, far more diversified and far more regulated," than those of the U.S. or Europe. 

"So this is an issue that is probably most important from a psychological perspective, less important in terms of your bank deposits," he said.

The 2008 crisis was a global disaster, said Antunes, "but most of Canada's banks did quite well through that. In fact, they came out quite strong."

"I think that's still very much the story. We have a different banking system," that's less competitive and easier to backstop than in the U.S., he said.

But as concern grows about a possible hit to the global economy, business investors "will be more prudent," said Antunes. And such investments are important for driving economic activity and Canadian trade.

Likewise, we could see a "tightening" of lending standards around the world, says Stephen Brown, deputy chief North America economist at the research firm Capital Economics.

WATCH | What does the SVB collapse mean for Canada?

What does the Silicon Valley Bank collapse mean for Canada?

Duration 6:04
Karl Schamotta, chief market strategist for Corpay, says the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank could mean a 'turbulent' time for Canadian investors.

Banks might not be willing to lend as much money or invest in equity bonds, according to Brown. That could change investing patterns, which in turn could impact the growth of global and U.S. GDP — and the Canadian economy by extension. 

"Weaker GDP growth in the U.S. in general doesn't bode well for Canadian exports," added Brown.

"So these are all reasons to think that the Bank of Canada in particular probably isn't going to be forced back to resuming interest rate [hikes] and probably will be cutting rates again before the end of the year."

Will this lead to a recession?

A recession was predicted in Canada for 2023, and recent events could lead to a slightly deeper dip in economic activity, said Antunes. However, any potential recession will differ from past slumps because the current slowdown is coming with few job losses, as employment continues to trend upward.

"This recession is going to be very, very different for most households in Canada, because we're in a situation where the labour market is very much a big shock absorber," he said. 

Schamotta says Canada and the worldmight enter a recession in the months ahead, as the effect of interest rate hikes "hits the bottom line for households and for businesses around the world."

"Retail sales, employment, factors like that will tell us about the health of the Canadian economy, about whether Canadian households are cutting their spending and reducing how much they put into the economy," he added.

"All of those things are going to contribute to whether we have a recession."

LISTEN | Is a recession looming?:
 
Front Burner 26:46 
Will the banking crisis trigger a recession?
 
In the last two weeks, four banks in the United States and one in Europe have either found themselves teetering on the brink or completely collapsed. In response, other private banks and governments all over the world have rushed to try to contain the potential financial contagion. On Sunday, the central banks of Canada, the US, Asia and Europe all agreed to increase money available, which in turn would help banks lend more to each other so they can stay afloat. Today on Front Burner, we are talking to Canadian Jim Stanford. Just how bad this financial crisis could get? How comparable will it be to the 2008 recession? And will this mean for the average Canadian? For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Jenna Benchetrit

Journalist

Jenna Benchetrit is a web journalist for CBC News. Based in Toronto and born in Montreal, she holds a master's degree in journalism from Ryerson University. Reach her at jenna.benchetrit@cbc.ca or on Twitter @jennabenchetrit.

With files from Peter Armstrong, Laura MacNaughton and Reuters

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1369 Comments

 
 
 
 
 
 
James Minion
Canadian banks now have massive derivative use and huge exposure to Canadian housing issues via variable rate mortgages and mortgage fraud. The US is fine but Canadian banks in the last 6 years copied all the mistakes US banks did from 02-07 
Ian Brodie-Brown 
Reply to James Minion
ABCP? Seems someone doesn’t know what they are talking about? 
Peter Hill
Reply to James Minion
Then why are Canadian banks not having any issues?   
 
James Minion 
Reply to Ian Brodie-Brown 
Asset Backed commercial debt is not the same as Canada’s mortgage debt.

24% of Canadian mortgages are variable rate where most Canadians are telling the banks I can’t handle the extra $2 or $3 k a month in interest or even $200 more s month. Canadian Banks aren’t forcing people to pay interest on mortgages just like US banks did in 07.

A lot of these mortgages are backed up by the CMHC or rally the federal government or at the end of the day the ‘Canadian taxpayers’

Also Canada has the highest household debt to income ratio in the world and corporate debt in Canada per capita is way higher here than the US

Ian Brodie-Brown 
Reply to James Minion
See the solution listed below - the cause in the US was ABCP - read your own words   
James Minion 
Reply to Peter Hill
Peter, the Canadian banks are having issues, they’re just covering them up right now. Best for you to come back to that question in 12-18 months and you might understand then.

Canadian banks are where the US banks were in March 07. Most Americans didn’t think a American banking crises would happen within 18 months so I can see why your so far in the dark

Ian Brodie-Brown 
Reply to James Minion
Read number 2 below - you might learn something - comparing Canadian banks to American banks is not like apples and oranges, it is more like comparing apples to Alaska.  
Except they’re not where American banks were in 2007. 

The cause in the US in 08 was teaser rate mortgages (variable rate mortgages) which Canada has tonnes of now. About 24% of all Canadian mortgages are variable/teaser rates.

What happened last week on two US bank was ABCP but that’s much less risk than what happened to Swiss bank or what happened in 08

Peter, enjoy your investments in Canadian banks. They’ve only dropped over 15% in the last month so sounds like you’ll be in amazing shape putting all your savings into their stocks  
 
I’ve been buying more. No better time to buy Canadian bank stocks than when the irrational market drops the share price. Add in the DRIP and I’ll be able to travel more than I have been lately.  

You might be able to travel around Canada more via greyhound but internationally it’ll costs you way more in Canadian dollars as the loonie is plummeting against all major currencies. Enjoy all your road-trips in Canada.

The dividend going into Drip will drop to in the following years. Keep buying the bank stock dips since they’ll continue for quite a while. Hope your not crying too hard m about them in a year or two if your actually investing in them lol

Nope, exclusively international travel. Exchange rate doesn’t bother me because of all the money I make from my bank stocks. Dividends at Canadian banks have never decreased, only increased. Even through times off turmoil which isn’t these days. Probably going to increase dividends more than usual for the next couple of years.  

Hope you put your life savings in the Canadian banking stocks now. The Canadian bank stocks now are as safe as a Canadian making $100 k a year that took out a $1 M mortgage in 2021 at 1% variable rates. Now that variable rates are 5.5% minimum it’s only an extra 45 k a year in interest in a 100 k salary before taxes. Peter, Sounds very very sound in your playbook. Also this isn’t the exception this was the common mortgage Loan in Toronto and Vancouver the last two years   
David Amos
Reply to James Minion
Methinks you should check my work N'esy Pas?
Would you put all you money in a place Called "Bobs Bank"? I don't feel sorry for Americans. 
David Amos
Reply to
I don't
 
Ian Brodie-Brown
2008 and Canadian banks - three things come to mind. 1. Famously the worlds largest Oil company at the time walked their accounts across Wall St, from an American bank to RBC. (I wonder if they are still there or perhaps after Swiss bank failure will Canadian banks grow again?) 2. In the darkest days of the housing struggle due to all the bad mortgage paper, the Fed Gov in Canada back stopped $50 billion in mortgages, taking the lowest 25% that could potentially go bad off the hands of any bank that wanted to secure themselves against (potential) default. (Few needed to take the credit and mortgages were reassumed by banks as the crisis waned). 3. The IMF was going to force Jamaica into default, the BNS assumed a $500 million dollar debt to the IMF on behalf of the Jamaican Gov. (How strong are our Banks? Strong enough to assume the lending of the IMF on smaller nations national debt. Because the Caricom and Latin nations are a huge part of Canadian banking and our banks bring stability to them as well.
There is a 150 year anniversary history on the BMO that was commissioned by the Chairman of the bank back in the 1960”s - to commemorate the first 150 years - it is a very rare 2 volume hardback which goes a long way to explain why our early Scottish bankers were the very best in the world and while banks were failing in the UK - the Canadian versions, smaller and regional, were taking lessons from their larger cousins and putting in place checks and balances that are unique in the banking world
Dawn Mack   
Reply to Ian Brodie-Brown 
Thank you. Feel better reading your information. 
Ian Brodie-Brown 
Reply to Dawn Mack  
You’re welcome - BMO is great book on banking history (and Canadian) if you can find it  
David Amos
Reply to Ian Brodie-Brown
Did you find me mentioned in that book? 
 
James Minion 
Reply to
Reply to James Minion 

Sorry TD bank is down 14% in last month and at a 1 year low. Guess it’s skyrocketing in your eyes lol

Once you understand the difference between up and down there might be a proper business conversation possible with you

Oh, a one year low? The horror. You mean it dropped to where it was just last year? So not the lowest in a decade or anything?

Dropping because of an irrational market is a great buying opportunity.

James Minion 
Reply to Peter Hill 
When stocks are plummeting you can keep buying lower and lower and lower for years. Maybe you should understand bankruptcy and defaulting since that can happen to corporations when they have too much debt compared to assets. Just a matter of time when credit tightens and recession hits and people lose jobs And can’t pay mortgage and are forced to sell. Banks will lose on foreclosures as housing prices plummet. Will start being common in 2024 but looking at the full picture and the future doesn’t work for you.

Peter I’m sure you think the govt will bail them out    

David Amos
Reply to James Minion 
Methinks its not wise to bet on anything these days N'esy Pas? 
John Chabot 
Under Harper, the world was in turmoil, Canada sailed through it barely noticing a thing, why? Harper government prioritize Canadians, governed with Canadians’ interests and focused on Canada. Today, Canada faces homemade crisis after crisis, vulnerable to any negative economic trends, thanks to those voting for Trudeau  
Larry McCarthy
Reply to John Chabot   
Isn't that the same guy who "balanced" his budgets from the EI fund?  
Mike Hamilton 
Reply to John Chabot
Didn't he vote against the same banking regulations that allowed Canada to sail through it so easily? 
Ian Brodie-Brown 
Reply to Larry McCarthy 
…and hid in a closet and jumped out a window … 
bob zoolo  
Reply to John Chabot 
I guess you missed this part, Canadians don't have much to worry about, according to Schamotta, because our banking system is "far more secure, far more diversified and far more regulated," than those of the U.S. or Europe.
bob zoolo  
Reply to John Chabot 
Harper was quoted as admiring the unregulated US banking system , Thank goodness he wasn't in power before 2008 or we'd be in the same boat as the US in 2008 and now 
 
 
Mike Hamilton 
Reply tobob zoolo 
And he called himself an economist, that was funny.  
 
 
bob zoolo   
Reply to John Chabot  
but conservatives always like to rewrite history 
 
 
Peter Hill
Reply to John Chabot   
You mean Harper had two recessions and we haven’t had one since he left? We know. 
 
 
mike potter
Reply to John Chabot  
According to USA economists, It's the revenue from overcharging on banking service charges. Harper's contribution seems to be nothing more than Conservative imagination. 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to John Chabot   
Pure D BS  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Blair Longstaff  
I have been saying this for quite sometime, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) is a very incompetent organization and do not have qualified staff to even understand real banking issues.

Our organization just spent a considerable amount of time teaching OSFI about the risks with climate change etc. and they still do not get it. OSFI did a presentation on Monday and spoke in general terms lifting messages from previous other documents that spoke about things like the Board needs to understand climate risks. Its a joke

Freeland needs to overhaul this mess

 
James Minion 
Reply to Blair Longstaff  
OSFI needs to start tightening Canadian bank lending ASAP.

Freeland doesn’t understand the difference between loose spending and tightening spending and tightening lending. 

 
David Amos
Reply to Blair Longstaff  
Surely you jest  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to James Minion 
Freeland doesn't understand anything  
 

 

 
Denis Van Humbeck  
A market like 2008 is needed, we need to see fuel prices plummet along with food prices.
James Minion 
Reply to Denis Van Humbeck  
It’ll just hit Canada way harder than the US and most of the world this time around compared to the opposite 15 years ago
Todd Starnes 
Reply to Denis Van Humbeck 
2008 was great for me. I paid off all of my debt using 0% teaser rates. The trick is to maintain employment. Which as I look around this room, won't be too difficult for me. 
David Amos
Reply to Denis Van Humbeck 
I concur
David Amos
Reply to Todd Starnes  
Why work? 
Todd Starnes 
Reply to David Amos  
It's true, in 2023 who works anymore; 2 zoom calls and 5 emails (from the comfort of the living room sofa) is a considered rough day.
David Amos
Reply to Todd Starnes  
Trust that I had I giving a lot of lawyers and beancounters a very rough day during my last Zoom call and my email today was a dilly to say the least
David Amos
Reply to David Amos 
I had "Fun giving"

  • SVB was running their business with a philosophy first and profits second. It turned out real well.


    They made bad decisions, and were caught with their pants down when interest rates went up. The Fed kept saying that inflation was "transitory", then realized, "holy cow inflation isout of control!", and jacked up the rates, causing SVB's unrealized liabilities to make them insolvent. But OK, let's just blame "wokeness", it's easier to understand.



    • Green.



    • Methinks many would agree that the true blame belongs to all the political lawyers operating within the banking systems N'esy Pas?



    • What a ridiculous irresponsible headline. Why doesn't the cbc just ask people to start a run on the banks.


    Most people are too lazy to walk to the bank, let alone run to it.



    • True I used my mouse to take my money out



    • How is the Biden presidency working out for all you fans?

    That's great.


    There are no Biden fans, just Trump haters and Trump lovers.



    • I think you're right. I can understand American voters being polarized around the guy, but Canadians?

    Crazy.



    • There are no Canadians, just pseudo Americans with Canadian passports... well except for Gordon Lightfoot, he's Canadian.



    • I suppose you're right. We all watch American television and huddle around the border.



    • And to be fair, we are all polarized about our leader, Justin Bieber.



    • I am a Biden fan...



    • OK, Name one good thing about him?



    • Trump was bad.



    • I good thing about Biden? He isn't Trump.



    • That was my original point. I'm glad you understood.



    • At least I did and agreed



    • Hypothetically, if my checking account is overdrawn and TD bank goes belly up, do I still have to pay them back? Hypothetically of course, I would nnneeevvvverrr run an overdraft, say due to drinking at the local bar every night. Never, never, never.


    Yes and No



    • "Banks are in turmoil." No they're not....They're avoiding turmoil...mostly successfully, by the way. This sensationalist, American style of journalism has to stop. We deserve (and pay for) better.


    Well said !



    • Well they are "trying" to avoid turmoil.



    • I said the same thing that this site writes about fear and this issue is nowhere close to 2008 and of course they did not allow it.



    • It is actually CBC trying to avoid turmoil with said sensationalist headlines that draw clicks... Sad but the road we are driving.



    • There is no such thing as news anymore. Every single headline is AI generated to maximize click through with no concern for dignity.



    • Proof? Social media nonsense?



    • So you work in mainstream media, ie this news outlet, and have personal knowledge of this?



    • Complete nonsense ... give me proof. Do you work for a REAL news outlet? Is that coming from personal experience? No? Thought so...



    • Dream on



    • Turmoil - "a state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty." That's not the banks, that's my life.


    That is the story of my life



    • A market like 2008 is needed, we need to see fuel prices plummet along with food prices.


    It’ll just hit Canada way harder than the US and most of the world this time around compared to the opposite 15 years ago



    • 2008 was great for me. I paid off all of my debt using 0% teaser rates. The trick is to maintain employment. Which as I look around this room, won't be too difficult for me.



    • I concur



    • Why work?



    • Canadian Banks are not in Turmoil.


    It's true, this is about American banks. I'm here since they allowed comments and these type of articles usually bring all the Loonies. It's so much fun.



    • Most people here cannot make change at a lemonade stand but they understand International Economics. Cheap entertainment. :)



    • That's true and Canadian Lemonade stands are better regulated than American Banks.



    • Would we know if they were?



    • Still have all my money.



    • Nope

↧

From bubble to boom? New report shows economic momentum in Atlantic Canada

March 22, 2023, 9:52 am
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From bubble to boom? New report shows economic momentum in Atlantic Canada

Atlantic Canada's economy is poised to grow, but longtime residents say they feel squeezed by housing costs

 
Kate McKenna· CBC News ·
Former P.E.I. premier Wade MacLauchlan is one of more than a dozen former Atlantic premiers and deputy premiers who've signed on to the Public Policy Forum report. (Shane Hennessey/CBC)
 
Atlantic Canada's economy has "wind in its sails" and is poised for an economic breakout, according to a new report from the Ottawa-based think-tank Public Policy Forum. 

The report, entitled the Atlantic Canada Momentum Index, says that Canada's East Coast provinces are experiencing "historic" momentum, in large part because of population growth.

"It's 'have not' no more," said president and CEO Edward Greenspon. "Atlantic Canada did lag on a number of indicators in a lot of ways for years. But that's not true anymore." 

The think-tank measured 20 metrics, including measuring economic and population growth, level of education, immigration numbers, median age and employment rate. It based provinces' performance on how many of these indicators improved between 2015 and 2022.

It found Atlantic Canada is performing comparably to the national average, and that it is showing a significant improvement compared to its performance from 2008 to 2015.

"I am proud," said Wade MacLauchlan, former P.E.I. premier and one of 17 former Atlantic Canadian premiers and deputy premiers who signed on to the report. 

"This is something that I and hundreds of thousands of others have worked hard for over generations. And there is a real sense of accomplishment and something on which we can build and grow."

But some Atlantic Canadians say this report doesn't tell the whole story: they say they're squeezed by skyrocketing housing costs, as population growth and increased wealth creates a strain on the existing housing stock. 

A man in a grey suit with a pink and purple striped tie smiles at the camera. Edward Greenspon, President and CEO of Public Policy Forum, says that Atlantic Canada should do what it can to capitalize on recent economic growth. (Public Policy Forum)

Population propelling economic growth

Atlantic Canada's population declined five decades in a row in proportion to the rest of Canada.

That tendency is shifting.

"For the first time, you're beginning to see population growth," said Greenspon. 

Recent census numbers show the country's fastest-growing cities — Halifax and Moncton — are in the Maritimes. 

Much of that population growth is spurred by people like Pauline Landriault, an Ontario resident who is able to work remotely. She has a property in Nova Scotia and is hoping to move there permanently.

"There's a lot of people who bought places here during the pandemic," she said. "With the nature and the trails, it's the most beautiful province in the country. It's a hidden gem."

The Atlantic bubble, which allowed unrestricted travel within the East Coast provinces for a period during the COVID-19 pandemic, may have also made the province attractive to people looking to relocate during the pandemic, according to former Nova Scotia premier Stephen McNeil.

A woman in a purple toque, sunglasses and a black parka stands on a sidewalk in front of a ramen restaurant. Ontario resident Pauline Landriault said she's planning a permanent move to Nova Scotia, calling the province a 'hidden gem.' (David Laughlin/CBC)

McNeil said his province was beginning to see more jobs creation around 2015, and shifted focus toward attracting more people back to Atlantic Canada to fill those jobs.

He said his government fought the long-held belief that Maritimers must give up career advancement aspirations if they choose to stay out East.

"We can do all the economic stuff right, but if we don't have people, then we're doomed," he said. "We're as close to New York as Toronto is, but we're more affordable." 

He said economic challenges in Alberta, low interest rates fostering growth, and Ontario's high housing prices contributed to people's decisions to move to Nova Scotia.

Immigration is also booming in Atlantic Canada: the average number of immigrants in Atlantic Canada from 2008 to 2015 was about 7,000 per year. From 2015 to 2022, that average more than doubled, to about 15,000 immigrants per year.

The median age of Atlantic Canadians, while older than the national average, has slowed in its growth.

"There's a growth in confidence, in population and economic activity. In many ways, this is for Atlantic Canadians, the opportunity to say after 130 years of outmigration, let's try something else," MacLauchlan said.

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair in a red jacket and white hoodie stands on a busy Halifax sidewalk. Halifax resident Melissa Gazzard receives social assistance and said the rising housing costs make it very difficult for her to find long-term housing. (David Laughlin/CBC)

With more prosperity, new challenges

Though the Public Policy Forum report does track the number of new housing builds in a region, it does not track the current costs of housing in Atlantic Canada, which have soared in recent years.

Halifax resident Melissa Gazzard relies on social assistance to pay her bills, and she said increased cost of housing has made it extremely difficult to find a long-term home.

"They're leaving us that are out here to basically fend for ourselves," she said. "It's really hard. They put us in one circle, and say, 'OK, we'll deal with you later.' But it never gets dealt with."

One of the other metrics measured was access to a family physician, an area where Atlantic Canada continues to struggle.

Nearly 370,000 Atlantic Canadians don't have a family doctor and the report shows that provinces have not made improvement in decreasing this number. 

"There's new challenges and problems. There's problems around health care and access to physicians," said Greenspon.

"There's always going to be some people left behind, and policy needs to address that and make sure they don't fall through cracks," he said.

A man wearing a suit stands in front of press microphones at a podium Former Nova Scotia premier Stephen McNeil, shown here speaking to reporters outside Province House on Oct. 13, 2020, is one of 17 former Atlantic Canadian premiers and deputy premiers who signed on to the report. (Jean Laroche/CBC)

How to keep building?

For momentum to keep growing in Atlantic Canada, it needs to be fostered, the report concludes.

"It would be negligent to let this swelling momentum pass without putting the necessary policy supports in place to perpetuate it," it reads.

The think-tank says it will meet with policymakers to discuss policies to build on the momentum.

"The message that I think is most important is to really recognize we can raise our expectations and that we should keep going. Because this is working and it is good for us," said MacLauchlan.

McNeil, who left office in 2021, said he expects the trend will continue upward.

"Atlantic Canada is alive and well, and quite frankly, a global player," he said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Kate McKenna

Kate McKenna is a national reporter with CBC News based in Halifax. kate.mckenna@cbc.ca.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
269 Comments


David Amos
This is a comedy correct?
 
 
 
 
Lou Bell
Too bad NB didn't have a Federal government that supported development of our Natural Resources instead of stifling them ! In fact , Trudeau has only returned about 1 % of the collected carbon tax he promised to small businesses here in NB ! That's in spite of collecting in the BILLIONS of dollars collected ! Talk about we NBers being duped !!  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Lou Bell
Methinks after spilling the beans again for Higgy's benefit its time for a butter tart and a nap before you have a stroke N'esy Pas? 
 
 
 
 
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