The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[DyAm00394]

An interesting presentation/video from Envision Saint John on the "State of the Economy 2024". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zmqb_kEDs2A

[DyAm00394]

At tonight's council meeting was a Committee of the Whole item regarding 19 Anglin Drive, (PID 55054779).

"Entering into an agreement of purchase and sale with Atlantic Community Housing Ltd".


Also, the proposal for 125 Gault Road has passed 1st and 2nd reading for rezoning. However, there was opposition at tonight's public hearing. Only 4 councillors voted against, 6 voted in favour.

[bingun]

I am glad this passed but disappointed with how close it was. Adding a mix of housing types with homes, townhomes, and apartments is ideal, and it is in an area already marked for intensification.

While I sympathize with the residents on their points about the current stormwater ditches and lack of sidewalks, this is a problem with the existing neighbourhood that the city should aim to address and not an issue with the proposed development. The same goes for the roundabout, which will hopefully happen in a few years.

I appreciate comments made by residents in public hearings are typically all over the place, but it is exhausting to listen to them be completely oblivious to the fact that building a neighbourhood of single-family homes is not economically viable.

An older gentleman, in particular, was trying to make the argument that building single-family homes would bring in more taxes than an apartment building, and Brent Harris, of all people, had to explain that that wasn't the case.

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by bingun

I am glad this passed but disappointed with how close it was. Adding a mix of housing types with homes, townhomes, and apartments is ideal, and it is in an area already marked for intensification.

While I sympathize with the residents on their points about the current stormwater ditches and lack of sidewalks, this is a problem with the existing neighbourhood that the city should aim to address and not an issue with the proposed development. The same goes for the roundabout, which will hopefully happen in a few years.

I appreciate comments made by residents in public hearings are typically all over the place, but it is exhausting to listen to them be completely oblivious to the fact that building a neighbourhood of single-family homes is not economically viable.

An older gentleman, in particular, was trying to make the argument that building single-family homes would bring in more taxes than an apartment building, and Brent Harris, of all people, had to explain that that wasn't the case.

I'm surprised there isn't a documentary on those who greatly dislike apartment buildings and densifying neighborhoods. Reminds me of last year was it when people online in Canada were scared of these "15 minute cities". Yet, every time I come home from a trip abroad from Tokyo to Lisbon, from Vienna to Barcelona, I'm annoyed that the North American way has shifted from dense walkable neighborhoods where you can buy groceries, go to a pub, do your shopping etc.

[DyAm00394]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

At tonight's council meeting was a Committee of the Whole item regarding 19 Anglin Drive, (PID 55054779).

"Entering into an agreement of purchase and sale with Atlantic Community Housing Ltd".

Updated info: A 72-unit, 4-building complex is proposed for this land. https://pub-saintjohn.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=20535

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Some interesting and important news from Saint John—Rothesay MP, Wayne Long regarding Canada’s oil industry. (Not sure on the source, but can’t see him posting this publicly based on a rumour)

For those that don’t know, Canada’s largest oil refinery is located in Saint John, NB. Over 80% of its refined products are exported to the US, where it is the largest single supplier of refined petroleum products in the entire northeast United States.

Seems like good news. I wonder what factors led to this decision. For those of you unaware, Irving Oil had been supposedly considering selling off the entire company, including the Saint John, NB refinery. I guess they’ve finally come to their decision, and the refinery and company HQ will be staying put in Saint John.

[DyAm00394]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Some interesting and important news from Saint John—Rothesay MP, Wayne Long regarding Canada’s oil industry. (Not sure on the source, but can’t see him posting this publicly based on a rumour)

For those that don’t know, Canada’s largest oil refinery is located in Saint John, NB. Over 80% of its refined products are exported to the US, where it is the largest single supplier of refined petroleum products in the entire northeast United States.

Seems like good news. I wonder what factors led to this decision. For those of you unaware, Irving Oil had been supposedly considering selling off the entire company, including the Saint John, NB refinery. I guess they’ve finally come to their decision, and the refinery and company HQ will be staying put in Saint John.

The news is from an official press release published by Irving Oil: https://www.irvingoil.com/en-CA/press-ro...c-review-and-announces-new-president-ceo

"Saint John, NB – Our company is pleased to announce the completion of our strategic review process, which was announced in June 2023. At that time, we shared that our company would begin a review of our business to explore all options on the future of our business.

Irving Oil remains a strong and secure company, supported by great employees and valued customers; it remains anchored in the values it has forged over the last 100 years beginning with our founder, K.C. Irving, and Arthur Irving. We are pleased to confirm Irving Oil will remain a privately held company, and we remain as committed to our people, our customers and our communities today as ever before.

As we set our course for the future, Irving Oil is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Matthews as President & CEO of our company. Matthews brings a deep understanding of our company through his 30 years of working with Irving Oil in roles including Chief Business Development Officer, Chief Financial Officer and most recently, Chair of Irving Oil’s Executive Management Committee.

As ever, our entire organization remains focused on continuing to operate safely, reliably and delivering a secure supply of energy to our valued customers as well as growing our business".

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

The news is from an official press release published by Irving Oil: https://www.irvingoil.com/en-CA/press-ro...c-review-and-announces-new-president-ceo

Thanks for sharing the link to the press release.

_____

Short of the Government of Canada purchasing Irving Oil and nationalizing it as Petro Canada 2.0, I think this was the best option for Saint John. I really didn’t like the idea of a foreign company or country owning the largest oil refinery in Canada, which was a common rumour floating around. This seems preferable.

So now that it sounds like they are here to stay… it’s time for “Team Holt” to deliver on their promise to bring about comprehensive tax reform— so that the refinery and other industrial properties can finally begin to pay their share in taxes, and the city of Saint John can finally lower the tax rate on its citizens considerably.

Imo, comprehensive tax reform is the first step towards amalgamating Greater Saint John. If Team Holt actually delivers on their promise, an amalgamated GSJ could have a lower tax rate than Rothesay has now, which currently has the lowest municipal tax rate in the entire region.

Saint John’s high tax rate is half the reason the outlying suburbs want nothing to do with being part of the same municipality as Saint John… but fix the tax issue, they’ll really be running out of excuses.

[sailor734]

I agree it is probably good news for Saint John and NB in general.

It would be interesting to know the new ownership structure and who is in control of the company with Arthur gone. Who makes the big, strategic decisions? Decides who is on the board? Chooses the CEO?

Or is it some sort of trust with outside trustees and no one individual in control?

[DyAm00394]

An Ontario business is moving to New Brunswick after being fed up with red tape affecting his business.

“Stevie Go Go, the tuk-tuk tourism business started by Sarnia’s Stephen Devlin, is packing up and leaving for greener pastures after several difficulties with local authorities. Devlin’s business is planning to move to Saint John, New Brunswick.

Stevie Go Go’s appearance on Dragon’s Den, the CBC show where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to savvy and wealthy investors, aired at the end of October. On the show, he impressed Brian Scudamore, CEO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK, and made a deal with him for an investment of one hundred thousand dollars.

However, after Stevie Go Go received several citations and was pulled off the road by Sarnia Police in August, Scudamore decided to withdraw his investment. Even though Devlin had already passed the due diligence phase of the deal, “they were not in a position to be fighting lawyers as soon as they invested," he says.

The underlying issue has been the classification and relevant regulations governing Stevie Go Go’s unique vehicles. Tuk-tuks, also known as auto-rickshaws, are three-wheeled, open-air motorized vehicles, with a driver seat up front and room for up to six passengers in the back. They are very popular worldwide, especially in Southeast Asia, but they are quite new to Canada. Stevie Go Go is the only business of its kind in the country.

His focus now is on establishing himself in New Brunswick.

After he was pulled over, Devlin was contacted by friends and a regional growth agency in New Brunswick called Envision Saint John who encouraged him to move out there. “They have welcomed me with open arms,” he says.

In New Brunswick, Devlin does not anticipate the same problems he experienced here, as they do not have provincial laws regulating low-speed vehicles. Devlin secured a new investment with a silent partner that will enable him to make the move out east. Working with tourist destinations in and around Saint John, the cruise lines, ferries, restaurants, hotels, and pubs, Devlin anticipates growing his fleet of tuk-tuks.

Stevie Go Go also plans to branch out with a related venture called Stevie Fly Fly which will operate a 16-passenger shuttle bus connecting the Saint John area to the local airport”.

Source: https://www.thesarniajournal.ca/news/stevie-go-go-says-bye-bye-to-sarnia-9839391

Additional Information from another news source is that he will be setting up at the Area 506 Waterfront Container Village.

[Sabien]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

An Ontario business is moving to New Brunswick after being fed up with red tape affecting his business.

“Stevie Go Go, the tuk-tuk tourism business started by Sarnia’s Stephen Devlin, is packing up and leaving for greener pastures after several difficulties with local authorities. Devlin’s business is planning to move to Saint John, New Brunswick.

Stevie Go Go’s appearance on Dragon’s Den, the CBC show where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to savvy and wealthy investors, aired at the end of October. On the show, he impressed Brian Scudamore, CEO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK, and made a deal with him for an investment of one hundred thousand dollars.

However, after Stevie Go Go received several citations and was pulled off the road by Sarnia Police in August, Scudamore decided to withdraw his investment. Even though Devlin had already passed the due diligence phase of the deal, “they were not in a position to be fighting lawyers as soon as they invested," he says.

The underlying issue has been the classification and relevant regulations governing Stevie Go Go’s unique vehicles. Tuk-tuks, also known as auto-rickshaws, are three-wheeled, open-air motorized vehicles, with a driver seat up front and room for up to six passengers in the back. They are very popular worldwide, especially in Southeast Asia, but they are quite new to Canada. Stevie Go Go is the only business of its kind in the country.

His focus now is on establishing himself in New Brunswick.

After he was pulled over, Devlin was contacted by friends and a regional growth agency in New Brunswick called Envision Saint John who encouraged him to move out there. “They have welcomed me with open arms,” he says.

In New Brunswick, Devlin does not anticipate the same problems he experienced here, as they do not have provincial laws regulating low-speed vehicles. Devlin secured a new investment with a silent partner that will enable him to make the move out east. Working with tourist destinations in and around Saint John, the cruise lines, ferries, restaurants, hotels, and pubs, Devlin anticipates growing his fleet of tuk-tuks.

Stevie Go Go also plans to branch out with a related venture called Stevie Fly Fly which will operate a 16-passenger shuttle bus connecting the Saint John area to the local airport”.

Source: https://www.thesarniajournal.ca/news/stevie-go-go-says-bye-bye-to-sarnia-9839391

Additional Information from another news source is that he will be setting up at the Area 506 Waterfront Container Village.

Coincidence! I'm in Thailand for the next few months - We drive in a Tuk Tuk almost every other day! (they aren't often shiny and new like the one in the pic)

This might do well on cruise ship days. Its a novelty kind of attraction that tourists might enjoy more than a regular taxi. Good to have options!

[MonctonRad]

Tuk tuks might be a good idea for Charlottetown and Halifax too. This is a very good idea for any cruise ship port. I wish him well.

[sailor734]

Good idea for the waterfront and uptown in the summer. I've often wondered why Harbour Passage wasn't built "twinned" with a lane for bikes, Ebikes, electric scooters etc etc
There would probably be a pretty big demand for these as a shuttle between the cruise ships and the Falls.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by sailor734

Good idea for the waterfront and uptown in the summer. I've often wondered why Harbour Passage wasn't built "twinned" with a lane for bikes, Ebikes, electric scooters etc etc
There would probably be a pretty big demand for these as a shuttle between the cruise ships and the Falls.

That’s a good question, and something they could do for a lot of stretches of the harbour passage. One of the biggest things I think we’re missing on the harbour passage system are bike rental stations like you see in larger cities, where you can rent a bike for a very modest price using an app or website on your phone.

The only issue I can think of, is that the city has a mandatory helmet bylaw for riding bicycles. It’s essentially not enforced, though, so the city could get rid of it to clear the way for bike rental stations. We have bike rental businesses Uptown, sure, but they aren’t affordable options like city bike stations would be.

[DyAm00394]

Atlantic Canada could soon have its own optometry school

“Atlantic Canada is one step closer to having its own school of optometry, officials announced Wednesday.

The University of New Brunswick (UNB) and the University of Waterloo in Ontario have signed a memorandum of understanding.

It would see the two schools look at partnering with the intention of establishing an optometry school in Saint John, N.B.

“This collaboration exemplifies the transformative potential of our Integrated Health Initiative,” Dr. Petra Hauf, provost and vice president academic at UNB, said in a news release.

“Partnerships like this enable us to expand health education and services, creating meaningful impact for our communities.”

The Integrated Health Initiative, located on UNB’s Saint John campus, converges interdisciplinary health education, cutting-edge research and ground-breaking innovation, which officials said provides a strong community base to support optometric education.

Currently, the University of Waterloo is the only English-language school of optometry in Canada, while a French-language program is offered at Université de Montreal in Quebec.

That means students from our region must travel to Ontario, Quebec or abroad if they are looking to become an optometrist.

“We believe a strategic partnership between our school and an institution with similar aims and values will be a strong foundation for success,” Dr. Stanley Woo, director of the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science, said in the release.

Doctors of optometry take a leading role in eye and vision care as well as general patient health and well-being. They have extensive and ongoing expertise in examining, diagnosing, treating and managing ocular disorders, diseases and injuries and systemic diseases that manifest in the eye.

Officials noted there is a pressing need for better access to eye and vision care in underserved areas across the country, including Atlantic Canada.

Ocular and systemic diseases – such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, hypertension and diabetes – are prevalent in rural and Indigenous communities, with more patients suffering preventable vision loss than in urban Canada.

No timeframe was given for when the new school could be up and running”.

https://www.country94.ca/2025/01/16/atlantic-canada-could-soon-have-its-own-optometry-school/

[Taeolas]

Just saw that on FB. Seems like quite the catch for UNB and a good thing for the Maritimes in general. That they are announcing it probably means it shouldn't be TOO long to get set up; maybe a 5 year time frame or so ? But I don't know how those usually go.

[sailor734]

Very good news for the SJ campus. Between this, the Dal-UNB med school and the Allied Health Sciences programs with NBCC ( including LPN and the LPN to RN bridge) they are developing an increasingly broad range health sciences offerings there.

[cdnguys]

[IMG][/IMG]

[bingun]

January PAC meeting agenda is available.

https://pub-saintjohn.escribemeetings.co...-b3201ac242d5&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English

This includes the tiny home community and the proposed parking at Wolastoq Park.

[bingun]

Originally Posted by bingun

January PAC meeting agenda is available.

https://pub-saintjohn.escribemeetings.co...-b3201ac242d5&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English

This includes the tiny home community and the proposed parking at Wolastoq Park.

Going through the details, the city is recommending the parking lot be denied.

RECOMMENDATION
Denial is recommended as the application conflicts with the Municipal Plan and Provincial
Statements of Interest.

Conclusion
Although the proposal may broadly align with Municipal Plan policies related to economic
development, Planning Staff do not support the proposal as:
• The current land use designation of the proposed site as Park and Natural Area does not
lend itself to a 500-stall parking lot serving an industrial land use.
• The potential exists to accommodate parking on the mill site by constructing a parking
garage.
• Redesignation of the site to allow for the proposed parking area does not align with
Policy LU-4 of the Municipal Plan and address broader priorities such as housing, job
creation, and tax base growth.