Saint John mayor defends deal to assist QMJHL's Sea Dogs

Council vote comes on the heels of Sea Dogs and the Harbour Station Commission signing a new five-year lease

 

CBC News· Posted: Aug 03, 2019 2:09 PM AT 

 

 

 

The Saint John Sea Dogs will receive as much as $112,500 from the City of Saint John over five years. (Vincent Ethier/QMJHL)

Saint John Mayor Don Darling is defending a deal that saw the cash-strapped city give the privately owned Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League more than $100,000 to be paid out over five years.

Darling says with the team threatening to leave the city, there was a strong argument for making the investment.

"At the end of the day, if the Sea Dogs organization weren't in Saint John anymore, there'd be jobs impacts, there'd be an economic impact that's estimated at a million to a million-and-a-half dollars a year," he said.

Harbour Station, which already has annual deficits of roughly $600,000 to $800,000 would lose its "major tenant" and about 40 events a year.

• CBC Investigates
  Emails reveal tense negotiations behind city's payment to Saint John Sea Dogs

• Council coughs up $112K to keep Sea Dogs from leaving Saint John

"You know council and I take every dollar council directs very seriously and we weigh the pros and cons and I'm convinced that the pros outweigh the cons in this particular case," said Darling.

He said he called restaurant, bar and hotel owners in the city. He heard from them that it wasn't worth the risk to lose the team.

"The majority of council decided that this was a good decision for the community," he said

Darling compared Harbour Station to Moncton's newer Avenir Centre, which has booked shows like Keith Urban and Jack White, while Harbour Station had to cancel three big shows because ticket sales weren't strong enough.

Mayor Don Darling said there was a strong argument for making the investment to keep the Sea Dogs in Saint John. (Roger Cosman/CBC)

"We have a community up the road that has a bigger, new [venue]. As we know it's getting the majority of the large music acts."

Darling said having a large arena in the city improves quality of life, and is a way to attract people to Saint John.

"The future of Harbour Station is far more bleak without a major tenant," Darling said.

Lease details secret

Council's vote comes on the heels of the Sea Dogs and the Harbour Station Commission signing a new five-year lease.

The details of the lease haven't been released to the public.

Darling said the city became involved after negotiations broke down between the Sea Dogs and the Harbour Station Commission, the arms-length agency that runs the arena.

Council did not even review the lease before voting on the payments, which Ward 1 Coun. Greg Norton said "lacked considerably in transparency." 

Details of the renewed lease between the team and the Harbour Station Commission haven't been released to the public.

Darling defended the decision, saying if there was a problem with the lease then neither the Harbour Station Commission nor the Sea Dogs would have signed.

Earlier this week, Sea Dogs president and general manager Trevor Georgie told CBC News the team has been losing "hundreds of thousands of dollars" over the past few years and even with the new money from the city, it will continue to do so.

"Despite the losses, our owner is prepared to fund them because he's a proud New Brunswicker and he loves his hockey," Georgie said.

 

Ray Bungay

Reply to @David R. Amos: no but sure didn’t hurt. $20K could have spent on frivolous things but this is money well spent sir‼️

 

 

David R. Amos 

Reply to @Ray Bungay: It still smells rather odd 

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/national-citizens-alliance-saint-john-protest-city-hall-1.5193827 

 

 

 

Controversial political party greeted by vocal protesters in Saint John

National Citizens Alliance holds forum outside City Hall after legion cancels its booking

 

Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon· CBC News· Posted: Jun 28, 2019 1:56 PM AT 

 

 

National Citizens Alliance Leader Stephen Garvey, wearing the red shirt, had only one supporter with him as he faced down a group of vocal protesters in Saint John. (Shane Fowler/CBC)

 

A controversial federal political party got less than a warm welcome in Saint John on Friday.
Two members of the National Citizens Alliance were greeted by about 40 protesters, including Mayor Don Darling, during a lunch-hour forum in front of City Hall.

About 15 police officers stood watch as the protesters toted signs bearing slogans, such as "NCA Go Away," and "In Saint John We Love Our Newcomers," and chanted, "Off our streets Nazi scum."

Party leader Stephen Garvey, armed with a bullhorn, fired back. "Read our policies," he shouted over the protesters, who blew whistles in an attempt to drown him out. "The silent majority in Canada are about to wake up."

The National Citizens Alliance, which is based in Calgary, became a registered federal party in January, according to Elections Canada.

• Controversial party says N.S Legions censoring its political rights

The Alliance is calling for a drastic reduction in immigrants to Canada and rescinding the Multiculturalism Act and it opposes hate speech laws and anti-Islamophobia policies. The party also believes climate change is a hoax.

Earlier in the day, the mayor took to social media to denounce the party.

"I want folks to know, that the city has nothing to do with this group," he posted on Twitter. "Their hate filled views are disgusting and I don't want them in our city.

"They serve only to fuel divisive views and hatred. Worse is this political party actually play to these views for votes."

Saint John Mayor Don Darling was front and centre at the protest against the National Citizens Alliance on Friday, carrying a sign with the slogan, 'Love Not Hate Makes Canada Great.' (Shane Fowler/CBC)

The party's forum was originally planned for the Royal Canadian Legion's Lancaster Branch 69 but was moved to City Hall after the legion cancelled the booking, according to Garvey.

Forums slated for the qplex in Quispamsis Friday evening and at the Golden Jubilee Hall in Sussex on Saturday are expected to proceed as scheduled, unless they get another call, he said.

Some Quispamsis residents have expressed concerns about the group using the town's arena and called for it to be cancelled, but Mayor Gary Clark said the booking of the Moosehead Breweries Conference Centre would stand.

"I personally do not agree with their views but feel it is important that we uphold rights given by Legislation in our Province," he posted on the town's Facebook page

CBC News New Brunswick

More protesters than party members show up for Saint John political rally

Two National Citizens Alliance members were confronted by 40 protesters with signs and whistles condemning the party's call for a drastic reduction in immigration. 1:10

 

 

The New Brunswick Human Rights Act states: "No person, directly or indirectly, alone or with another, by himself, herself or itself or by the interposition of another, shall, based on a prohibited ground of discrimination,

• a) deny to any person or class of person any accommodation, services or facilities available to the public, or
• b) discriminate against any person or class of persons with respect to any accommodation, services or facilities available to the public.

"In this case their recognition as a federal political party we believe is protected under the act," wrote Clark.

"Canada and New Brunswick take very seriously the right to free speech and the protection of rights for all Canadians. The Town of Quispamsis has a duty to protect those rights as well, even if we do not agree with the group's political views."

About 40 protesters greeted the National Citizens Alliance at Saint John City Hall. (Shane Fowler/CBC)

He stressed that the town and Moosehead Breweries have no affiliation with the party and that it's a private booking.

If anyone chooses to continue to voice concerns, Clark urged them to do so in a "respectful and peaceful manner."

Several of the Saint John protesters yelled, "See you tonight at the qplex," as they left around 1 p.m.

With files from Shane Fowler

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

 

 

 

 

43 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.

 

 

 

 

David R. Amos

For the record I have never heard of these dudes and I certainly agree with Mayor Gary Clark and not the Mindless Don Darling. Whereas the nasty Conservative Madame Bell decided to tease me about this politcal party methinks her buddy the aptly named lawyer Rob Moore and I should talk to them later today in Sussex N'esy Pas?

 

 

Lou Bell

Reply to @David R. Amos: This guy had one less supporter than you had when you ran ! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lou Bell

Wow, look at all the supporters. Even Amos could beat this party ! 

 

 

David R. Amos

Reply to @Lou Bell: Shame on you Lourdes Methinks you likely laughed when you heard I was illegally forced to eat your food at the DECH N'esy Pas?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alexander Forbes 

Amazing how the left always just tries to drown out the opposition instead of actually trying to converse with them. Even if the protesters are right, you won't get people to see your point of view yelling at them.  

 

 

SarahRose Werner

Content Disabled 

 

 

David R. Amos 

Reply to @SarahRose Werner: Methinks protesting often defeats its intended purpose and this article is a fine example by making a fool out Don Darling and his cohorts and the people they are protesting better known N'esy Pas?

 

 

Josef Blow

Content Disabled 

 

 

Alexander Forbes  

Reply to @SarahRose Werner: Unless it's a quiet protest that wouldn't convince me to join their side.

 

 

Alexander Forbes 

Reply to @Josef Blow: Yelling at people and drowning them out is exactly what tbey were doing. Try literacy...it does wonders.

 

 

The ABCs of Saint John: New city manager to review agencies, boards, commissions

More than 30 groups oversee city's services and facilities, handle 'tens of millions' of dollars

 

CBC News· Posted: Jun 06, 2019 8:26 PM AT

 

 

 

The Canada Games Aquatic Centre's oversight body will be part of the review. 

 

 

Saint John's new city manager is undertaking a review of the agencies, boards and commissions to improve their operations and find ways to save money.

There are more than 30 such groups that oversee the city's facilities and services, such as Harbour Station, the Aquatic Centre, police services and transit — all at arms length from the city, said Mayor Don Darling.

And "tens of millions" of dollars flow through them.

"I think we have an obligation as council … to ensure we have the best practices in place and that we can get the best results," he said.

Darling said "micro" reviews have been done in the past, but nothing as comprehensive as what John Collin has planned.

John Collin, who was appointed Saint John city manager in January, is juggling several strategic projects, said Mayor Don Darling, noting the city is a $250-million corporation with $2.7 billion in assets. (City of Saint John)

Collin, who has been on the job since January, will spend the next five or six months on the project.

"I think everything is on the table," said Darling, adding that includes possible mergers.

"This is about driving maximum value for taxpayers and you cannot be talking about sustainability moving forward without having everything you do be looked at through that lens, again, of growth, our financial performances and lastly, through municipal reforms."

Darling expects Collin will focus on the groups that have the biggest financial implications, such as the Aquatic Centre.

"If things are going well, we're investing — or another way to say it, we're losing $500,000 a year. If things are going poorly, we're losing a  million dollars a year," he stressed.

Darling said he has some of his own ideas about where costs can be trimmed and the Fundy Region Service Commission, which costs the city about $70,000 a year, is top of mind.

"That would be an example where, why would we continue to invest money on behalf of the taxpayers when … the mandate's not being met and there doesn't seem to be a willingness to meet the mandate?"

Similarly, he hopes Collin will take a closer look at the governance model of the Aquatic Centre, which continues to struggle.

Information Morning - Saint John

The city's review of agencies, boards and commissions

00:0008:04

Saint John Mayor Don Darling. 8:04

It's not an attack on the members of the various agencies, boards and commissions, said Darling, noting many are volunteer positions while others are paid nominal fees. Police commission members, for example, get paid $100 per meeting. 

"The world we're working in is changing very rapidly, so do we have the right framework and the right support?" he said. 

"And within this governance review the boards themselves might say, 'Hey City of Saint John, you're encumbering us.' So it's a two-way street."

Collin's findings will be made public and discussed at council, said Darling.

With files from Information Morning Saint John

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices