Engineer concluded suspended N.B. engineer's buildings risked collapse, seeks provincial review
John Richardson says ‘immediate danger has gone away’ for known buildings
A Halifax structural engineer has described some buildings by a suspended Moncton engineer as the scariest things he's come across during his nearly four-decade career.
John Richardson told CBC News that over the last six months, he has reviewed several multi-storey apartment buildings allegedly designed by Hélène Thériault that he concluded were at risk of collapse.
"They're working for various reasons that should not be part of the structural design," Richardson said of his conclusions about the structures.
"Things like the drywall partitions and components like that are what are helping hold these buildings up temporarily. And they're not meant to do that."
Richardson's comments offer a glimpse into the seriousness and scope of the allegations against Thériault and her company, Ingénierie Match Engineering Inc., and a scramble to identify and check buildings she allegedly helped design in multiple New Brunswick communities.
CBC tried, but was unable, to get a full picture of how many buildings Thériault worked on, where they are located and whether she worked alone or as part of a team.
In response to two lawsuits, Match has admitted to the "under design" of components of two buildings in Shediac and Miramichi.
The details in the court filings align with what Richardson told CBC he observed.
Thériault did not respond to requests for comment.
A lawyer representing her and Match Engineering in lawsuits filed by building owners that used Richardson to review their structures declined to comment while the matters are before the courts.
Thériault's firm was incorporated in 2015 and records list her as its only corporate director. Associations in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, where she was also registered, described her as the only engineer associated with the company.
While architects conceive of a building's overall design, a structural engineer would be responsible for detailed engineering designs and structural analysis. Their plans would be used for construction.
But all of the ones I've looked at that have these issues have been shored up to the best of my knowledge. So the current and immediate danger has gone away.
- John Richardson, structural engineer
Richardson described the plans he reviewed as being for buildings mainly in southeast New Brunswick, though some were in Saint John and Miramichi.
"They all had issues to varying degrees, and about half of those, approximately, are occupied," Richardson said.
"But all of the ones I've looked at that have these issues have been shored up to the best of my knowledge. So the current and immediate danger has gone away."
He said shoring up buildings has meant adding temporary supports as longer-term fixes are planned.
"I've been a structural engineer for 38 years, designing buildings, and I have not seen anything like this once," said Richardson, whose past work includes the Halifax convention centre and apartment buildings.
The company he works for also helped design Moncton's Avenir Centre arena.
Suspended in May
The Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of New Brunswick, which regulates the engineering profession, suspended Thériault's licence to practise on May 10 pending a disciplinary hearing. She has been a member since 2011.
The New Brunswick association said in a June 7 statement the suspension was based on "allegations of serious deficiencies in the design of multiple buildings, both constructed and under construction."
The association has yet to specify what the alleged problems are, how many buildings or in what communities.
Several municipalities, as well as New Brunswick's Department of Public Safety, haven't answered how many buildings Thériault allegedly designed in their jurisdictions.
Julie Albert, a spokesperson for the City of Dieppe, said that as of June 19, it has identified about 20 buildings linked to Thériault in the municipality. The statement did not identify the buildings.
Albert said the city continues to work with building owners.
Richardson described becoming involved in reviewing some of Thériault's buildings in December. He said he was contacted after cracks were noticed in the foundation of a 63-unit apartment building that was still under construction in Dieppe.
Richardson says his involvement began with this Dieppe apartment building. (Becky Parsons/Radio-Canada)
Quest CEO Harold Daley told CBC the company turned to Richardson after working with him on a previous project.
Richardson said he reviewed the building plans and quickly concluded there was a problem with what's called a transfer slab that serves as the roof of a parking garage, carrying the weight of four floors and a roof to support columns.
"I've done numerous buildings similar to that, so I sort of knew based on how many levels were above what the spans were, what that floor should look like, and this building just obviously didn't meet what I expected at all," Richardson said.
Just before Christmas, Richardson toured the building and said he saw more cracks than he considered normal. In Richardson's opinion, the building wasn't safe for construction work to continue.
Daley said work halted in January as temporary supports were added to make the building safe. Daley said permanent measures were added with Richardson's input.
"The temporary measures that were put in place have been taken down and the building is safe now for occupancy," Daley said, saying it's set to open in September.
'My heart kind of sunk'
Richardson said he spoke to Thériault by phone Jan. 9 and asked how many similar buildings she had designed, saying he recalls her saying she worked on many of them.
"At that point my heart kind of sunk," he said.
That same day, he wrote to the engineers' association about his concerns, writing that he wouldn't file a formal complaint because he did not have details about her other buildings. He asked the association to take over.
What happened between his message and her suspension four months later has emerged as a point of contention.
In a statement to CBC, the association's CEO and registrar, Lia Daborn, said the lack of a formal complaint by Richardson "hampered our efforts."
The statement says that "following its own investigation," the association "filed the Complaint against Ms. Thériault." It didn't say when that investigation began, or when the complaint was filed.
The statement said the association's complaint was without assistance from on-the-record information from Thériault's clients or engineers who reviewed her work.
"In fact, if anyone had gone on the record with the Association, we may have been able to act sooner," Daborn said in the statement.
Richardson says he was asked to review plans for this apartment building in Dieppe last December. (Becky Parsons/Radio-Canada)
After his involvement with the Dieppe building, Richardson said, he began hearing from other companies that allegedly used Thériault's designs, as well as from municipalities, which wanted him to take a look at plans.
Richardson told CBC he passed along information to the association as more buildings came to his attention. The association didn't answer a question from CBC about that.
A lawsuit against Thériault's firm, Match Engineering, was filed in March about its work on the Dieppe building. The case refers to expenses to investigate cracks, but doesn't name Richardson.
Last month, Match's lawyer filed a statement of defence in the case.
"Match admits to certain deficiencies in design, but, denies all other statements and allegations" in the lawsuit, the document states. The court filing doesn't elaborate on the admitted deficiencies.
Two other lawsuits have been filed against Thériault and Match Engineering about buildings in Shediac and Miramichi, buildings Richardson had also been asked to review. Statements of defence were filed in those cases Monday.
"Match admits to under design of the transfer slab and certain elements, including columns and supports, supporting and connected to the slab," the documents state, going on to say there was insufficient rebar specified by Match.
The statements of defence say that Match wasn't the cause of losses alleged by building owners, but says if they had losses, it was caused by unnamed contractors on the projects, or by other officials.
One lawsuit alleges issues in the design of this apartment building in Shediac that required temporary and permeant fixes. (Becky Parsons/Radio-Canada)
Richardson said the buildings he's reviewed are multi-storey apartment buildings with several floors above an indoor parking garage.
In basic terms, Richardson described the main issue he observed as a concrete transfer slab over the parking garage that's too thin, with too little supporting steel.
"We design building components so they have more capacity than the load that they are expected to have to carry, and that's our safety factor," Richardson said.
But, he said, he concluded the buildings lacked a safety factor to support loads the buildings might typically see day-to-day.
Based on his experience, he said this could lead to the slab failing, resulting in higher levels collapsing into the basement.
"That hasn't happened, thank goodness," Richardson said. "But we were very concerned, particularly with some of the buildings."
Evacuations were considered at several points, but ultimately none have occurred. Instead, he said, he was comforted that temporary supports could be in place within 24 to 48 hours.
Richardson said he opted to speak publicly because he worries there may be other buildings that Thériault worked on that have yet to be checked.
"Because they are so dangerous that they could in fact collapse and there's people living in them. That's my big worry."
Asked whether the association has a full list of her work over the years, the engineer association's CEO said in a statement it is in "possession of Ms. Thériault's records," but didn't directly say if that means it has a complete list.
The association said its investigation is ongoing.
"As any further issues are identified, we will continue to work, municipalities, provincial officials, and building owners to ensure public safety," Daborn said in the statement.
Engineer calls for provincial investigation
The association said it has hired an external investigator to review the known designs of buildings and structures associated with Thériault.
It said it is still awaiting the investigator's report.
However, Richardson is calling for a broader review, suggesting what he saw requires the provincial government to appoint a person, or several, to find and check each building.
"I'm not looking to do the work, just to be clear," Richardson said.
"We have — we're very busy. We have more than enough work, but I'm just concerned about the safety of the people living in these buildings."
A spokesperson for New Brunswick's Department of Public Safety didn't address the call for a provincially led investigation, instead directing questions to the association.
Hearing postponed
Thériault was to face a disciplinary hearing in June, but that hearing was cancelled. The association said her lawyer has agreed to facilitate the process without her needing to attend. It's unclear when, or if, a hearing may take place.
The Prince Edward Island engineering association has also suspended Thériault following her suspension in New Brunswick, though it says there's no indication she has worked on buildings in that province.
Engineers Nova Scotia says Thériault resigned from that association earlier this year, and it isn't aware of any buildings in that province she worked on.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Pascal Raiche-Nogue
BMR Structural Engineering
5495 Spring Garden Road, 4th Floor
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1G2
Engineers & Geoscientists New Brunswick
What is aPEGNB?
Founded in 1920, (APEGNB) took responsibility of regulating New Brunswick’s engineering profession and in 1999 assumed the regulation of the geoscience profession as well. APEGNB has over 6,000 engineers, geoscientists, engineers-in-training, and geoscientists-in-training registered.
Our registrants work in more than 30 different engineering/geoscience disciplines – from designing and creating energy-efficient buildings and faster computers to ensuring New Brunswickers have access to clean drinking water and have safe and responsible mining practices.
183 Hanwell Road
Fredericton NB E3B 2R2
CANADA
Tel: 506.458.8083
Fax: 506.451.9629
Protecting the Public
APEGNB protects and serves the public interest by:
- Ensuring all licensed professional engineers and geoscientists are qualified;
- Disciplining professional engineers and geoscientists found guilty of professional misconduct or incompetence;
- Taking action against unlicensed individuals or entities who illegally describe themselves as engineers or geoscientists or provide these services;
- Preparing performance standards in regulation.
Governance
APEGNB is governed by the Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act. The Act gives the Association the right to:
- Regulate the practice of engineering and geoscience, and to govern these professions in accordance with the Act and By-Laws;
- Establish and maintain standards of knowledge and skill among its members;
- Establish and maintain standards of professional ethics among its members, in order that the public interest may be served and protected.
https://www.apegnb.com/about-us/our-team/
Lia Daborn, CAE
CEO & Regsitrar, APEGNB
Marie-Claude Doucet, LLB, MBA
public representative
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-claude-doucet-ll-b-mba-40209028a/
About Engineers Canada
Engineers Canada upholds the honour, integrity, and interests of the engineering profession by supporting consistent high standards in the regulation of engineering, encouraging the growth of the profession in Canada, and inspiring public confidence. For over 80 years, we have worked on behalf of the provincial and territorial associations that regulate engineering practice and license the country’s 300,000 members of the engineering profession.
Our work is focussed on 10 core purposes, as established by Engineers Canada’s members, the engineering regulators:
- Accrediting undergraduate engineering programs.
- Facilitating and fostering working relationships between and among the regulators.
- Providing services and tools that enable the assessment of engineering qualifications, foster excellence in engineering practice and regulation, and facilitate mobility of practitioners within Canada.
- Offering national programs.
- Advocating to the federal government.
- Actively monitoring, researching, and advising on changes and advances that impact the Canadian regulatory environment and the engineering profession.
- Managing risks and opportunities associated with mobility of work and practitioners internationally.
- Fostering recognition of the value and contribution of the profession to society and sparking interest in the next generation of professionals.
- Promoting diversity and inclusivity in the profession that reflects Canadian society.
- Protecting any word(s), mark, design, slogan, or logo, or any literary, or other work, as the case may be, pertaining to the engineering profession or to its objects.
Our culture and values
Engineers Canada has been selected as a National Capital Region Top Employer since 2017, while in 2021 the organization earned a gold certification against the Excellence Canada framework for Excellence, Innovation, and Wellness. Part of this journey to excellence was an organization-wide collaboration on six defining values:
- We take pride in creating a culture of teamwork and wellness.
- We earn credibility through high-quality work.
- We foster new ideas and embrace creative approaches.
- We are transparent and accountable.
- We create and sustain trusting relationships.
- We rely on diverse people and perspectives to enrich our work.
These values weave through all aspects of our work and workplace culture, creating a trusting, open place where each person can contribute and thrive.
History of the organization
The first steps towards establishing a legal status for the profession of engineering began in the late 19th century. By 1930, eight provinces had legislation in place to regulate the practice of engineering. However, each Act showed considerable variation; after a few years the profession began discussing how they could be brought into greater harmony. After much discussion between the provincial regulators, eventually a constitution was agreed upon, and in 1936, Engineers Canada was created—known at the time as the Dominion Council of Professional Engineers. The organization was originally founded by Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. In subsequent years, the remaining provinces and territories joined the organization, with the most recent addition of Nunavut in 2008.
1896: First act to regulate the practice of engineering passes in Manitoba
1920: The first provincial regulatory bodies form: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Quebec
1922: Ontario provincial regulatory body forms
1930: Saskatchewan provincial regulatory body forms
1936: Dominion Council of Professional Engineers forms
1952: Newfoundland and Labrador provincial regulatory body forms
1955: PEI provincial regulatory body forms
1956: Yukon territorial regulatory body forms
1959: The Dominion changes its name to Canadian Council of Professional Engineers (C.C.P.E.)
1969: Northwest Territories territorial regulatory body forms
2007: CCPE becomes known as Engineers Canada
2008: The Engineers and Geoscientists Act is enacted in Nunavut
As the organization has evolved over time, it has undergone two name changes. In 1959, it became known as the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers (C.C.P.E.), and in 2007, it took its current name, Engineers Canada.
Daily Media Report recap: June 7-June 20, 2024
Published June 20, 2024
Committee Members
Lia Daborn
Chair
DS (Pal) Mann
Vice-Chair
Patrick Savard
Member
Michael Gregoire
Member
Mark Fewer
Member
Stormy Holmes
Member
Kimberley King
Member
Jim Landrigan
Member
Vince McCormick
Member
Jay Nagendran
Member
Jennifer Quaglietta
Member
Heidi Yang
Member
Staff Support
Gerard McDonald
CEO
55 Metcalfe Street, Suite 300,
Ottawa, ON K1P 6L5
Conservation Council criticized for political activity
The New Brunswick Conservation Council is getting a black eye from an organization called Charity Watch.
The Toronto-based group claims to have told Revenue Canada the Council spends too much money on political activity and should be audited. But questions are being raised about who is making the accusations.
The Council has been around for 30 years. It takes public stands on environmental issues.
Lia Daborn is the executive director, one of three full time employees. She got a phone call from a reporter at a New Brunswick newspaper, who in turn had been called by George Barkhouse, director of an outfit called Charity Watch.
Barkhouse claimed the Conservation Council spends too much money on political activities.
He says he alerted Revenue Canada to audit whether the council has violated the limit on lobbying allowed by a charitable tax status.
Daborn says the Council is acting as it should. "We're not doing anything outside what Revenue Canada believes is acceptable."
Daborn says most of the council's political work involves day-to-day business with government and the public on environmental issues.
"When we spoke to our auditor he said these activities would have been something that we would have doing anyway in the course of our work."
Revenue Canada confirms that Charity Watch is registered as a charity. It lists a street address in Toronto but no phone number.
Revenue Canada can't talk about whether Charity Watch called about the Conservation Council but CBC News found a reference to Charity Watch on the website of another environmental group in Toronto.
Members of a newly-formed political action group called EnvironmentVoter claims Barkhouse has been making harassing phone calls to them, and leaving "threatening messages."
This group's web page describes Barkhouse as a "notorious right wing zealot."
One of the group's directors said in a phone interview that in March, she filed a formal complaint against Barkhouse with the Toronto Police Hate Crimes unit.
Board Governance
Board Members
Although the Board was created by government, it was established to be an independent body, operating as an administrative tribunal, separate from government. The Board’s activities are reported through a separately published annual report and the Board appears before the Legislature’s Standing Committee on Crown Corporations to answer any questions that MLAs may have.
The Board consists of a Chair, Vice-Chair and 8-10 members. The membership of the Board consists of a cross-section of New Brunswick citizens from various regions of the province and with a wide ranging variety of backgrounds. Board members, including the Vice-Chair are appointed for three-year terms and can be reappointed. The Chair is appointed to a non-renewable ten-year term.
Marie-Claude Doucet, Dieppe
Chair
Prior to her appointment to the Board, Ms. Doucet practiced law with Bossé Viola LeBlanc, where she focused her practice in civil litigation, specifically in insurance law.
Ms. Doucet is a member of multiple associations, including the Law Society of New Brunswick, the Canadian Bar Association, the Moncton Area Lawyers Association, the Association des juristes d’expression française du Nouveau-Brunswick, the Foundation of Administrative Justice and the Council of Canadian Administrative Tribunals. Ms. Doucet is also a Member of the Board of Directors for the Canadian Automobile Insurance Rate Regulators Association.
Marven Grant, Fredericton
Vice-Chair
He is married to Cheryl and has (3) adult children and (1) granddaughter.
Life motto: A steadfast adherence to moral and ethical principles and values.
Mr. Grant has served on the New Brunswick Insurance Board since 2019 and had also served as a Board member from 2013 to 2016.
Ferne Ashford, Fredericton
Ms. Ashford is the owner/operator of Ashford Law and Dispute Resolution located in Fredericton, New Brunswick. She has been practicing law for over 25 years in the areas of family law, real estate, and wills and estates. On November 29th, 2021, Ms. Ashford received her designation as King's Counsel, an honorary designation given to lawyers who have demonstrated outstanding practice, shown integrity and leadership, and made contributions to excellence in the profession. She has been a volunteer in the legal community throughout her career and is currently the Chairperson of the Lawyers Assistance Program Committee, a Member of the Law Society of New Brunswick, and the Canadian Bar Association.
Ms. Ashford has served on the New Brunswick Insurance Board since 2019 and had also served as a Board member from 2006 to 2016.
Carol Dixon, Quispamsis
Ms. Dixon worked in the private sector as Controller/Financial Manager of various companies in Saint John before taking a position with the Provincial Government in Fredericton to work in various areas of Economic Development.
Ms. Dixon is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of New Brunswick, UNB Alumni, and continues to do contract work in financial accounting. She is also the Atlantic Education International Homestay coordinator for Rothesay High School, a former member of the New Brunswick Forest Products Commission, UNB Alumnae Board member, Toastmasters Area Governor, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fredericton Board member, Homestay parent, a member of the Saint John Board of Trade, and has held many other volunteer positions.
Hobbies that she enjoys with her husband, John, include photography, travel, painting, pets and doing ATV trails.
Ms. Dixon has served on the New Brunswick Insurance Board since 2022.
Cyril Johnston, Moncton
Mr. Johnston is active in theatre, both as an actor and producer, and is the founder and President of Roundhouse Productions. He is an avid salmon fisherman and a member of the Board of Directors of the Atlantic Salmon Federation.
Mr. Johnston has served on the New Brunswick Insurance Board since 2020.
Francine Kanhai, Saint-André
Mrs. Kanhai is a dedicated volunteer for various organizations. She served as a director on the Grand Falls Chamber of Commerce and is currently a Board Member of the CBDC Victoria Madawaska South. She is also a member of the Women in Business Network Association.
She enjoys travelling and golfing in her leisure time.
Mrs. Kanhai has served on the New Brunswick Insurance Board since 2022 and had also served previous terms from 2007 to 2014 and 2015 to 2021.
Georges Leger, Shediac
Mr. Leger has served on the New Brunswick Insurance Board since 2019 and had also served as a Board member from 2010 to 2017.
Brigitte M. Ouellette, Grand Falls
Ms. Ouellette lives in Grand Falls with her husband, Claude.
Ms. Ouellette has served on the New Brunswick Insurance Board since 2020.
Gerry Peters, Fredericton
As a management consultant for more than 20 years, he has facilitated numerous strategic, business and financial plans for both the for-profit and the not-for-profit sectors. Currently, he is one of two people in New Brunswick who is qualified to provide services under the Federal Government’s Farm Debt Mediation Service (FDMS) program.
Recreationally, he enjoys boating, hiking, and competitive running. Just before Covid-19 set in, Gerry and his wife, Debbie, completed a three-day hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back.
Mr. Peters has served on the New Brunswick Insurance Board since 2023.
Heather Stephen, Saint John
Mrs. Stephen is actively involved with the Parent School Support Committees at her childrens' school, as well as volunteering her time with numerous other sports and community organizations.
Mrs. Stephen enjoys reading, sketching, painting, hiking, and travelling. She resides in Saint John with her husband, Jason, their two children, and their miniature goldendoodle.
Mrs. Stephen has served on the New Brunswick Insurance Board since 2013.
Elizabeth Turgeon, Fredericton
Ms. Turgeon also has alternate dispute resolution training, having completed a Practitioners’ Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the University of Prince Edward Island in 2014 and a Third Party Neutral Certificate in mediation and facilitation from UNB in 2012. She acted as a Small Claims Adjudicator for the New Brunswick Department of Justice from 2012 to 2017.
Ms. Turgeon resides in Fredericton with her husband, James. She has three adult children and seven grandchildren, who also reside in Fredericton. She is very interested in New Brunswick being an affordable place to live and raise families.
Ms. Turgeon has served on the New Brunswick Insurance Board since Oct 2016.
Regulatory | |
|---|---|
| Marie-Claude Doucet | Chair and Chief Executive Officer |
| Kelly Ferris | Executive Advisor and Secretary to the Board |
Insurance Filings | |
|---|---|
| Tessa Stright | Manager of Insurance Services and Assistant Secretary to the Board |
| Christine Bullock | Rate Analyst |
| Brenda Cummings | Rate Analyst |
| Tracy Cyr | Rate Analyst |
Finance and Administration | |
|---|---|
| Trudy Hall | Manager of Finance & Administration |
| Linda MacMorrough | Payroll and Office Administrator |
| Stephen Boyer | Information Technology Manager |
| Jared Henderson | Junior Information Technology Administrator |
New Brunswick Insurance Board
To make a freedom of information request to New Brunswick Insurance Board contact:Kevin Duff
Saint John Mercantile Centre
55 Union Street
Saint John, NB E2L 5B7
Phone: (506) 643-7710
Fax: (506) 652-5011
Email: Kevin.Duff@nbib-canb.org
Tenants of new Miramichi building frustrated by cracking walls, power outages
Landlord says company is working to address the problems
Tenants living in a new affordable-housing building in Miramichi, N.B., say they are frustrated with walls cracking, electrical and snow-clearing problems, and how those issues have been addressed.
Melonie Rutland moved into 2108 Water St. after she was offered a unit in the building in November through the local women's shelter.
"I was promised happiness and to treat it like it would be my own home," she said.
The 20-unit building partnered with Miramichi Housing Solutions, the Miramichi Transition House and the Miramichi Regional Multicultural Association. More than half the units are designated for rent supplements, with some of the units aimed at women and children facing domestic violence or at risk of homelessness. The project finished up in the fall and opened to tenants last November.
The supplemented units were to be considered third-stage housing, meaning tenants could stay long term.
Rutland said she started experiencing issues in December when she noticed cracks forming on the walls and ceiling.
Rutland
took several photos of cracks in the hallways of the third floor and in
the second floor stairwell. The company that owns the building says the
cracks did not compromise the structural integrity of the building. (Submitted by Melonie Rutland)
In an interview, Blair Martin, the president of Belleterre Community Partners, which owns the building, said the cracks occurred when the roof trusses moved during the winter freeze-and-thaw cycles.
He said work to repair the cracks couldn't be done in the winter and the work could wait since the issue didn't affect the structural integrity of the building.
Belleterre is working on a second building on the same street that will also have supplemented units, and he said the trusses have been redesigned to make sure the cracks don't happen with that project.
"These are problems that happen in all buildings, all new buildings, new homes, new apartments," he said. "It's just the way things are in the construction business, and you expect them to happen."
Shannon Camilleri, who lives in a subsidized accessible unit through Miramichi Housing Solutions, said her issues also began in December when she voiced her concern about ice in the driveway. As an amputee who is currently using crutches, she said she contacted the property manager about the problem but didn't get anywhere.
Martin said the company subcontracts the clearing of the parking lot and they usually won't come until the snow is finished falling. The subcontractors don't prioritize what building they go to first after a snow event, he added.
Extended power outages
Rutland and Camilleri also said a power outage over a month ago left them without power for days.
Rutland said her food spoiled during that period, and there have since been more outages. She said the first gift card for food came a few weeks after the outage.
Belleterre
Community Partners president Blair Martin said workers have been in the
building trying to troubleshoot the electrical issues. (Submitted by Blair Martin)
Martin said electricians replaced the main breaker in the building after a subsequent outage five days ago. But after another outage on Wednesday night, he said electricians believed the issue was related to the N.B. Power line spiking and tripping the breaker.
Rutland said Belleterre Community Partners offered food gift cards to tenants after the outages, but she called it a "Band Aid solution" and said that some of the food tenants purchased the other day would have gone bad during the second outage of the week.
Martin said N.B. Power was on site on Thursday to look at the issue but he understands why tenants are frustrated.
"Water is easy. You can see water dripping and fix that problem," he said. "Electrical, it's a lot more complicated in trying to figure out why something isn't operating properly.
Shannon
Camilleri, seen speaking at a Coldest Night of the Year event, says she
wants to speak out about her experiences in the building because other
tenants might be going through similar problems. (Submitted by Shannon Camilleri)
"I understand the frustration, I accept the frustration … but there has to be an allowance somewhere from everyone involved to say, 'look, this doesn't happen overnight in terms of solving the problem, and we're trying to deal with the frustration.'"
Martin also said that even though Belleterre is a non-profit that builds affordable housing, they are also landlords. He called the situation a "typical tenant-landlord relationship."
CBC News requested an interview with Housing Minister Jill Green, but a spokesperson said she wasn't available. In an emailed statement, the spokesperson said "any tenant experiencing issues with the health and safety of their housing are encouraged to contact the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office directly to discuss their options."
Patricia Michaud, the executive director of the Miramichi Transition House, which recommended tenants for the units designated for families facing domestic violence, said she has heard from an outreach worker about the issues tenants are facing.
Although she said she isn't involved with the maintenance or ownership of the building, the organization has tried to help with grocery cards.
"It's a really hard situation because I don't want to lose those units, but I don't want to see tenants suffering … and having a hard time with not having electricity and so on," she said.
Mat Rouleau, the building's property manager, said he would be talking to tenants, and that he tries to be clear with them about whether fixing an issue is within his control.
"I'm going to take the time to listen and make sure that we, as much as we can, sort of do the work we need to do to … not just resolve this issue, but make sure that we let them know that we're taking it seriously," he said.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
> > > > From: "McKnight, Gisele" McKnight.Gisele@kingscorecord.com
> > > > To: lcampenella@ledger.com
> > > > Cc:motomaniac_02186@hotmail.com
> > > Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2005 2:53 PM
> > > > Subject: David Amos
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > Hello Lisa,
> > > > > David Amos asked me to contact you. I met him last June after he
> > became
> > > an
> > > > > independent (not representing any political party) candidate in our
> > > > federal
> > > > > election that was held June 28.
> > > > >
> > > > > He was a candidate in our constituency of Fundy (now called
> > > Fundy-Royal).
> > > > I
> > > > > wrote a profile story about him, as I did all other candidates. That
> > > story
> > > > > appeared in the Kings County Record June 22. A second story, written
> > by
> > > > one
> > > > > of my reporters, appeared on the same date, which was a report on
> the
> > > > > candidates' debate held June 18.
> > > > >
> > > > > As I recall David Amos came last of four candidates in the election.
> > The
> > > > > winner got 14,997 votes, while Amos got 358.
> > > > >
> > > > > I have attached the two stories that appeared, as well as a photo
> > taken
> > > by
> > > > > reporter Erin Hatfield during the debate. I couldn't find the photo
> > that
> > > > > ran, but this one is very similar.
> > > > >
> > > > > Gisele McKnight
> > > > > editor A1-debate A1-amos,David for MP 24.doc debate
2.JPG
> > > > > Kings County Record
> > > > > Sussex, New Brunswick
> > > > > Canada
> > > > > 506-433-1070
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
Raising a Little Hell- Lively Debate Provokes Crowd
By Erin Hatfield
"If you don't like what you got, why don't you change it? If your world is all screwed up, rearrange it."
The 1979 Trooper song Raise a Little Hell blared on the speakers at the 8th Hussars Sports Center Friday evening as people filed in to watch the Fundy candidates debate the issues. It was an accurate, if unofficial, theme song for the debate.
The crowd of over 200 spectators was dwarfed by the huge arena, but as they chose their seats, it was clear the battle lines were drawn. Supporters of Conservative candidate Rob Moore naturally took the blue chairs on the right of the rink floor while John Herron's Liberalswent left. There were splashes of orange, supporters of NDP Pat Hanratty, mixed throughout. Perhaps the loudest applause came from a row towards the back, where supporters of independent candidate David Amos sat.
The debate was moderated by Leo Melanson of CJCW Radio and was organized by the Sussex Valley Jaycees. Candidates wereasked a barrage of questions bypanelists Gisele McKnight of the Kings County Record and Lisa Spencer of CJCW.
Staying true to party platforms for the most part, candidates responded to questions about the gun registry, same sex marriage, the exodus of young people from the Maritimes and regulated gas prices. Herron and Moore were clear competitors,constantly challenging each other on their answers and criticizing eachothers’ party leaders. Hanratty flew under the radar, giving short, concise responses to the questions while Amos provided some food for thought and a bit of comic relief with quirky answers. "I was raised with a gun," Amos said in response to the question of thenational gun registry. "Nobody's getting mine and I'm not paying 10 cents for it."
Herron, a Progressive Conservative MP turned Liberal, veered from his party'splatform with regard to gun control. "It was ill advised but well intentioned," Herron said. "No matter what side of the house I am on, I'm voting against it." Pat Hanratty agreed there were better places for the gun registry dollars to be spent.Recreational hunters shouldn't have been penalized by this gun registry," he said.
The gun registry issues provoked the tempers of Herron and Moore. At one point Herron got out of his seat and threw a piece of paper in front of Moore. "Read that," Herron said to Moore, referring to the voting record of Conservative Party leader Steven Harper. According to Herron, Harper voted in favour of the registry on the first and second readings of the bill in 1995. "He voted against it when it counted, at final count," Moore said. "We needa government with courage to register sex offenders rather than register the property of law abiding citizens."
The crowd was vocal throughout the evening, with white haired men and women heckling from the Conservative side. "Shut up John," one woman yelled. "How can you talk about selling out?" a man yelled whenHerron spoke about his fear that the Conservatives are selling farmers out.
Although the Liberal side was less vocal, Kings East MLA Leroy Armstrong weighed in at one point. "You’re out of touch," Armstrong yelled to Moore from the crowd when the debate turned to the cost of post-secondary education. Later in the evening Amos challenged Armstrong to a public debate of their own. "Talk is cheap. Any time, anyplace," Armstrong responded.
As the crowd made its way out of the building following the debate, candidates worked the room. They shook hands with well-wishers and fielded questions from spectators-all part of the decision-making process for the June 28 vote.
Cutline – David Amos, independent candidate in Fundy, with some of his favourite possessions—motorcycles.
McKnight/KCR
The Unconventional Candidate
David Amos Isn’t Campaigning For Your Vote, But….
By Gisele McKnight
FUNDY—He has a pack of cigarettes in his shirt pocket, a chain on his wallet, a beard at least a foot long, 60 motorcycles and a cell phone that rings to the tune of "Yankee Doodle."
Meet the latest addition to the Fundy ballot—David Amos.
The independent candidate lives in Milton, Massachusetts with his wife and two children, but his place of residence does not stop him from running for office in Canada.
One has only to be at least 18, a Canadian citizen and not be in jail to meet Elections Canada requirements.
When it came time to launch his political crusade, Amos chose his favourite place to do so—Fundy.
Amos, 52, is running for political office because of his dissatisfaction with politicians.
"I’ve become aware of much corruption involving our two countries," he said. "The only way to fix corruption is in the political forum."
The journey that eventually led Amos to politics began in Sussex in 1987. He woke up one morning disillusioned with life and decided he needed to change his life.
"I lost my faith in mankind," he said. "People go through that sometimes in midlife."
So Amos, who’d lived in Sussex since 1973, closed his Four Corners motorcycle shop, paid his bills and hit the road with Annie, his 1952 Panhead motorcycle.
"Annie and I rode around for awhile (three years, to be exact) experiencing the milk of human kindness," he said. "This is how you renew your faith in mankind – you help anyone you can, you never ask for anything, but you take what they offer."
For those three years, they offered food, a place to sleep, odd jobs and conversation all over North America.
Since he and Annie stopped wandering, he has married, fathered a son and a daughter and become a house-husband – Mr. Mom, as he calls himself.
He also describes himself in far more colourful terms—a motorcyclist rather than a biker, a "fun-loving, free-thinking, pig-headed individual," a "pissed-off Maritimer" rather than an activist, a proud Canadian and a "wild colonial boy."
Ironically, the man who is running for office has never voted in his life.
"But I have no right to criticize unless I offer my name," he said. "It’s alright to bitch in the kitchen, but can you walk the walk?"
Amos has no intention of actively campaigning.
"I didn’t appreciate it when they (politicians) pounded on my door interrupting my dinner," he said. "If people are interested, they can call me. I’m not going to drive my opinions down their throats."
And he has no campaign budget, nor does he want one.
"I won’t take any donations," he said. "Just try to give me some. It’s not about money. It goes against what I’m fighting about."
What he’s fighting for is the discussion of issues – tainted blood, the exploitation of the Maritimes’ gas and oil reserves and NAFTA, to name a few.
"The political issues in the Maritimes involve the three Fs – fishing, farming and forestry, but they forget foreign issues," he said. "I’m death on NAFTA, the back room deals and free trade. I say chuck it (NAFTA) out the window.
NAFTA is the North American Free Trade Agreement which allows an easier flow of goods between Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Amos disagrees with the idea that a vote for him is a wasted vote.
"There are no wasted votes," he said. "I want people like me, especially young people, to pay attention and exercise their right. Don’t necessarily vote for me, but vote."
Although…if you’re going to vote anyway, Amos would be happy to have your X by his name.
"I want people to go into that voting booth, see my name, laugh and say, ‘what the hell.’"
Lia Daborn
Executive Director, New Brunswick Dental Society
Lia Daborn is an Association Executive who 'fell into' the sector after completing a Masters in Environmental Studies. That degree brought her to New Brunswick where she accepted her first full-time job as the Executive Director of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick at age 26! She learned on the job and translated those skills into employment with professional associations including the Canadian Bar Association and the New Brunswick Dental Society. Lia served as the Atlantic representative on the board of the Canadian Society of Association Executives for a period of eight years, recently completing her term as Past Chair. She has also served on the board of the Fredericton region Habitat for Humanity. In addition to her full-time job, Lia acts as the New Brunswick representative for the Opimian Society, Canada's largest non-profit wine-buying club. In her spare time she bakes, cooks, plays with her camera, reads and drinks wine!
What are you most proud of professionally? And who or why?
My recent experience as Chair of a National Association (Canadian Society of Association Executives)
What's your vision for Atlantic Canada in 10 years? What’s our biggest opportunity now?
Our greatest opportunity is a focus on continued growth, particularly taking advantage of the natural beauty that surrounds us, the inspiring people who live here and encouraging their development and promotion within the region.
What was your greatest stage of growth? What made it a shift for you?
Assuming the role as Board Chair of a national organization pushed me outside of my comfort zone in a great way. It was a challenge I had set for myself without really thinking it through in the way I would normally have done - and it meant I had to stretch in ways I would never have done had I taken the time to talk myself out of the job. I was "too young", "too inexperienced", "lacking connections" and "too shy". Chairing a national board provided me the opportunity to learn so many new skills and to realize that I can do things and sometimes need to not think it through, but "leap" instead. That can be really uncomfortable - but so worth it in the end!
What's your favourite or most read book or podcast? Now or at each of your greatest stages of growth?
I have many favorite authors - what links many of them is that they write in a beautiful way that is almost poetic, but provides you with a true picture of what they are trying to say. My choice in the moment depends on my mood.
What's your deepest learning from this past year? How did/will you apply it?
That I do have the ability to lead others, and have a presence that others will look to and follow, provided my message resonates. I have always been shy and despised public speaking. I have tried Toastmasters and other speaking programs, to feel more comfortable in front of a crowd. Little works as well as the experience itself, and having had to speak to rooms of 500 - 600 people over the past three years has meant a lot of growth in this area! At the most recent conference where I presented Committee reports, more than one person commented afterwards that I had "come a long way" and it is true. All of that has helped to build my confidence although I will still continue to have those butterflies every time I have to walk up on stage!
Who's inspired you, directly or indirectly? How have they inspired you?
The former Chief Justice Beverly McLaughlin has always impressed me – she is extremely well spoken and carries herself in such a way that inspired respect. Her presentations are well reasoned and informed, and delivered in a calm manner. I would love to have that outward calm appearance when speaking to a roomful of people
What would you have done differently?
My career has taken a winding path to lead me to where I am today, but looking back, there is not much I would change. I recognize that I am doing what I am meant to do - working in the Association world, and I know that I am good at it. It suits my personality and my skills.
What motivated you to make the choices you've made? What are the principles you live by?
My motivations were encouraged through one of those "professional / personal development" programs that forces you to set goals and write them down. It is true: once you write things down and envision attaining them, it sets you on a path that means once opportunity presents itself, you can't do anything but say "yes". Becoming chair of CSAE was one goal, set a number of years ago. I also wanted to become a sommelier - and am currently working towards that certificate as well as now acting as a representative for the Opimian Society. Knowing these goals were important to me allowed me to welcome potential opportunities to advance along and get one step closer to accomplishing them. I need to set more goals for myself and keep focused on them in order to keep moving forward.
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Association Executive, Wine Lover (and Wine Rep!), baking queen
