The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread

[mmmatt]

Originally Posted by sdm

its probably more functional to build it a few stories then multiple stories. Its a police station....

yeah I know...but you could have the police on the 1st to 5th floors...then the other stuff above it lol. I know it wouldnt work, I just want a tall building...let me dream haha.

[ErickMontreal]

Originally Posted by stu_pendousmat2

yeah I know...but you could have the police on the 1st to 5th floors...then the other stuff above it lol. I know it wouldnt work, I just want a tall building...let me dream haha.

Agree with you! I would like to see something like Halifax or Saint John get built here.

My concern is the fact Moncton has a firm plan to restrict the height along Main and Assumption street as well.

[theshark]

height restriction?? no good!!
Would make a boring skyline to see all the buildings at the same height.

[westcoast604]

The new Marriot doesnt look that bad...not very suburban at all really. The other hotel up the street has that feel mostly due to it's architecture (especially the horrible cone roof feature), building materials, the distance it is setback from the street, and with parking/access road in front if i can remember correctly.
Im not sure what is going to be on the ground floor of the Marriot, but the first floor should be a podium of retail, with the upper 5 as hotel, setback slightly. At least it is being built right up to the sidewalk.

[ErickMontreal]

Originally Posted by westcoast604

The new Marriot doesnt look that bad...not very suburban at all really. The other hotel up the street has that feel mostly due to it's architecture (especially the horrible cone roof feature), building materials, the distance it is setback from the street, and with parking/access road in front if i can remember correctly.
Im not sure what is going to be on the ground floor of the Marriot, but the first floor should be a podium of retail, with the upper 5 as hotel, setback slightly. At least it is being built right up to the sidewalk.

I think it will be a The Keg steakhouse.

On the street level this hotel is quite urban but on the skyline perspective, it could be better. Like I said, it will be a great addition for downtown Moncton nevertheless. Moreover with the courthouse and specially with the convention center project, this hotel will be necessary.

[ErickMontreal]

:: Retail ::

Coming Soon :: Champlain Place

Buffalo Jean
Aldo Accessories
Claire France
American Eagle Outfitters (Reopening, store redevelopment)

Recently open :: Champlain place

Mexx/Mexx kid
Cassis
Ben Moss Jewellers
Trade Secret
Quilts Etc

Others ::

Telus (Wheler Power Center)
Little Cesear's Pizza (Champlain Plaza)

Coming Soon :: Mapleton Plaza

The Brick
Jacob
Mountain coop equipment
Linens n Things

Rumors :: Best Buy, Town Shoe, Esprit, Globo.

[ErickMontreal]

Moncton sets stage for premiers' meeting
Provincial leaders' visit seen as chance for city to market its strengths to western and central Canada

By Jesse Robichaud
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Thursday July 26th, 2007
Appeared on page A1

As local officials make final preparations to host Canada's provincial and territorial leaders from Aug 8-10, they are also busy putting on the ritz for the nearly 100 media representatives who will touch down in Moncton for the Council of the Federation's summer meetings.

City of Moncton spokesman Paul Thomson says city crews are hard at work getting Moncton primped and ready for the arrival of the premiers by dressing up the downtown, beautifying the city's parks, and upgrading City Hall Plaza.

But he is among a number of officials working to ensure the rest of the country sees Metro Moncton and New Brunswick as more than just a charming backdrop for the high-profile meetings.

"A lot of the focus for us here is on the media, and the fact that we're going to be having national media descending on us, and trying to get some stories out," he said in an interview yesterday.

Thomson says the city sees the event as an opportunity comparable to the success Moncton had in marketing itself through the Memorial Cup.

It's the type of opportunity the city cannot let pass by, he says.

The Council of the Federation was created in 2003 by Canada's premiers as a forum to bring provinces and territories together to play a co-operative role in revitalizing the Canadian federation.

Premier Shawn Graham has indicated that energy and environment issues will be at the top of the agenda during this summer's meetings.

Downtown Moncton Inc., erected signage on Main Street yesterday in order to set the stage for the national event. The multi-coloured lamp signs are each emblazoned with the name of a different province or territory.

DMI CEO Daniel Allain says this is the type of event that can make waves for the city and region.

"We're just trying to make people aware that we are going to have some leaders here that we will be placing New Brunswick on the map," he said yesterday.

While almost 100 media representatives will be crawling around the city, Allain uses a hockey analogy to note that sometime, a one or two stories can register the type of impact that will bring windfalls to the region.

"It's just like making it to the NHL, you just have to impress one or two scouts to make it to the big leagues," he said.

"It's going to have a really big impact because we have a really good story to tell."

Allain sees it as the region's duty to showcase Atlantic Canada in a different light than perhaps some of the events' participants are accustomed to seeing.

The pot is sweetened when one considers that the conference's 200 delegates will be bringing families and guests, as Allain foresees up to 500 people are expected to flow into the region for the event.

"That's the objective, it's to change the mindset of central and western Canadians who think that Eastern Canada and New Brunswick are have not provinces. We are a have province," he said.

"It's our duty to make sure they are well-informed and that they know what is happening in our area."

From the opening event of the conference, which will feature art showcased by the New Brunswick Craft Council, to the end of the conference, New Brunswick talent will be on display between the closed door meetings, says Marie-Andrée Bolduc, press secretary with the Premier's office.

While there are no events planned to give Metro Monctonians a chance to meet and greet the first ministers, they will get a chance to bump into a premier by chance as leaders and their staff explore the city between the meetings.

"Given that the schedule is quite packed in a day and a half, most of the schedule is meetings and receptions, but the premiers will definitely be in town and out and about," she said.

"There will definitely be a buzz in Moncton and the Greater Moncton area. People may see them around."

While Premier Shawn Graham is chairing the meetings, his wife, Roxanne Reeves will lead a program for spouses and children of delegates to take in the sights and unique experiences of the region. The City of Moncton will participate directly in that program

During their time in Moncton, the premiers will be staying at the Delta Beauséjour, along with most of their staff.

Bolduc says Moncton, Riverview, and Dieppe, have been very helpful in the planning stages of the event, which she describes as a great opportunity to showcase New Brunswick.

"Even though the conference is in the Greater Moncton area, it will be showcasing talent from across the province, whether it be music or other artists," she said.

"We want to make sure this will be memorable for all of the premiers."

[ErickMontreal]

Moncton BIA to include St. George Street

July 27, 2007 - 10:56 am
By: Allan Dearing - News 91.9 Staff

MONCTON, NB - After 18 months of negotiations, St. George Street is poised to join the Downtown Moncton Business Improvement Area.

At a special stakeholder meeting, property and business owners in Downtown Moncton have voted in favour of expanding the BIA to include St. George.

Downtown Moncton Inc. Executive Director Daniel Allain says this expansion has a lot of potential for St. George.

Allain says issues such as security and the esthetic appeal of the street will be explored.

The Moncton BIA is set to grow by one-third to include 850 businesses and 260 property owners.

[ErickMontreal]

New skateboard park plans unveiled
Enthusiasts pleased with expansion of seven-year-old facility

By Stephanie Kukkonen
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Saturday July 28th, 2007
Appeared on page A3

Skateboarders won't have to wait long until they're riding the rails with the best of them.

Yesterday, architects and representatives of the City of Moncton got together for a barbecue at the existing skateboard park. The point was to show the park's users the new and exciting expansion that could begin as early as the fall.

The existing skate park has been a second home to many avid skateboarders, rollerbladers and bikers for seven years and in its prime it was celebrated as possibly the best in Atlantic Canada. But like all aging things, it is time for an upgrade.

"I was involved with the planning of the original one," says Delaney Fearon, who's been skateboarding for 22 years. "I'd like to see more challenging obstacles where people can work on their tricks and grow as a skater."

Although the park caters to all athletes on wheels, the majority of the clientele are boarders. Fearon says that while there is a known degree of animosity between skateboarders and bicyclists, 95 per cent of the time everybody gets along really well. Still, those at yesterday's meeting were all toting skateboards.

A sum of $250,000 was set aside in the 2007 City Works budget for the expansion of the park and when the preliminary plans were shown to the skaters, there was nothing but smiles and comments of admiration.

"I am 100 per cent pleased with the plans," says Fearon. "I think anything added to this park would be great, but I am very, very happy with the ones they have."

The existing park contains many ramps and rails that are good for transitional stunts, but the new park will have a lot more for jump tricks and stagnant stunts. Many of the skate boarders gathered, suggested that the edges on some of the new obstacles be squared off to reduce the slipping they find on the existing obstacles' round edges.

"Some of the things that are being added to the park are things that I would probably never try on my own," says Fearon. "I don't necessarily always think it's the obstacles in the park, but the talent in the park that makes it what it is. I think this expansion will help the skaters become more talented and to grow."

Other suggestions from the park's users were things like more trees to shut out the wind that can become an added challenge to tricks.

Also they want to see more places to sit and watch other skaters try out the obstacles. More benches and seating blocks was a very popular suggestion.

Other than a few additions here and there, the athletes are extremely happy with the preliminary plans and the designers are confident that there is something in there that everybody will like.

"My friends would say that I am a complainer by nature," says Fearon, "and I really can't find anything to complain about."

[Seely32]

Chinese cultural school inks deal to open New Brunswick campus
Education Moncton-based institute one of three in Canada

MARTY KLINKENBERG
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
Published Tuesday July 31st, 2007
Appeared on page A1


BEIJING - New Brunswick is about to add another important link to its developing ties with China, with an announcement expected soon that a Confucius Institute will open in Moncton in the fall, only the third such school in Canada.

New Brunswick education officials met with counterparts in Beijing Monday and finalized an agreement to open one of the Chinese cultural schools in New Brunswick in September. The institute will partner with a number of universities and community colleges in the province, and will eventually open up satellite campuses outside of Moncton as well.

"The Chinese government is opening 100 of these institutes worldwide, and we got one of them," said Alan Norman, a former principal at Bernice MacNaughton High School who now serves as general manager of Moncton-based Atlantic Education International.

The firm works with the provincial government to oversee the implementation of curriculum from New Brunswick into Chinese schools. Four schools in China - two each in Beijing and Shenzhen - currently use New Brunswick's curriculum.

"The biggest country in the world is our partner and we have to take pride in that," Norman said Saturday after handing out New Brunswick high school diplomas at graduation exercises for the Beijing and Shenzhen Concord Colleges of Sino-Canada at the Great Hall of the People. "Other provinces are envious of the work we do in China.

"We don't bow down to anybody."

A group of New Brunswick schools will join the British Columbia Institute of Technology and the University of Waterloo as the only affiliates within Canada of the Confucius Institute. Other affiliates include the London School of Economics and the Universities of Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oklahoma and Rhode Island, Purdue University, Michigan State and North Carolina State.

The Confucius Institute is a non-profit public school designed to strengthen relations with other countries by offering opportunities to students outside China to study Chinese language and culture. Its headquarters is in Beijing and falls under the umbrella of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic, which estimates that approximately 100 million people worldwide will be learning Chinese as a foreign language by the year 2010.

Norman has been negotiating a deal to bring the Confucius Institute to New Brunswick for 18 months. Since 1997, his company has worked on initiatives with the Department of Education and the Concord College of Sino-Canada, which celebrated its 10th anniversary Sunday night with a 2.5-hour concert by the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra at the Canadian International School in Beijing.

All four of the schools in China using New Brunswick curriculum were founded by Dr. Francis Pang, who has also had a long-standing relationship with the University of New Brunswick Saint John. Pang is hosting the 72-member youth orchestra during its current two-week China tour, and also has three dozen other high school students from across the province staying at the Beijing Concord College.

Those students, all in grades 10 or 11, are participating in a summer camp that includes classroom instruction in Chinese culture and language, as well as visits to historic sites such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. At the same time, Chinese students take part in an English-language program, with activities scheduled in such a way that New Brunswick and Chinese youths interact and reinforce skills in both languages.

"Cultural diversity means better understanding and more opportunity," said Pang, who was born in Hong Kong but lived in Canada for 28 years. "For us, it is a win-win situation."

Pang has been invited to visit the province in September to go fly fishing for Atlantic salmon and talk about further initiatives. He has entertained a delegation of New Brunswick officials for the last few days and joined them in a reception at the Canadian Embassy.

The New Brunswick contingent is led by Minister of Education Kelly Lamrock, and includes assistant deputy minister Dave Roberts, Lt.-Gov. Herménégilde Chiasson, Strategic Programs Director Gary Wood, St. Thomas University administrator Colleen Comeau and MLA Larry Kennedy of Victoria-Tobique. The group is visiting five cities in nine days, the others being Shanghai, Hainan, Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

Lamrock, who flew to Bejing from Montreal last week after attending a Police concert, has been addressing officials here in both English and Chinese. He began taking Mandarin lessons only three weeks ago, but has been able to generate applause and smiles with his remarks in the mother tongue.

"We provide a real and perceived assurance that the education system in New Brunswick is of high quality, and there are a number of people here who are very interested in getting their own campuses in our province," Lamrock said. "There is a huge demand in China for community college and university education, and we want to be a part of that.

"We want to train their students and trades people, and put a New Brunswick stamp on it."

Lamrock addressed the graduates of the Beijing Concord and Shenzhen Sino-Canada Colleges on Saturday in the Great Hall. He said he felt tremendous pride in watching and listening to the youth orchestra, and also in handing out New Brunswick diplomas to students from China.

"It is incredible to have New Brunswick on the centre stage at an event like this," he said.

"Ten years from now these students here will be movers and shakers, and when they think of Canada, they aren't going to think of Vancouver or Toronto. They are going to think about New Brunswick."

Lamrock said no place in Canada can boast the links in education that New Brunswick has forged thus far with China.

"There is nothing else like it," he said. "Other provinces have tried to poach this now a dozen times over. We have to be a little more nimble, a little quicker and a lot more creative than provinces that are bigger than our own."

Marty Klinkenberg is contributing editor at The Telegraph-Journal. He is currently in China following the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra's two-week Forbidden City concert tour. He can be reached at mklinkenberg@rogers.com.

[ErickMontreal]

Metro bus fleet to double

$2.6M in gov't funding aimed at boosting ridership to 2.8 million by 2009 and getting 1,100 cars daily off the street by 2011



By James Foster
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Wednesday August 1st, 2007
Appeared on page A1

Codiac Transit will nearly double its fleet of buses within 2-1/2 years, thanks to $2.66 million from the federal and provincial governments.

"Our actual ridership is 1.7 million passengers yearly," Codiac manager John Allain said yesterday as the funding was announced. "By 2009, that will have climbed to 2.8 million passengers."

The money means not only more buses, but more frequent runs, extended routes and new coverage areas.

The money comes from the federal-provincial agreement on public transit.

Allain said service frequency will go up 85 per cent with the investment.

"We will be getting many newer routes, at an increased frequency. Some old routes which saw buses going by every hour will now have service every half hour. And some new routes will have service every 15 minutes."

The new buses will all be wheelchair-friendly and low-emission. The accessible buses will be launched in the fall of 2008.

New student passes will be made available next year to 9,000 students in Metro Moncton. Codiac is now talking to school and university officials about how to best meet their needs.

A new airport shuttle service will link air passengers with hotels in Moncton and Dieppe, as well as with taxis, trains, inter-city buses and other Codiac buses.

A new transit corridor will be created along sections of Champlain Street, Main Street, Weldon Street, Mountain Road and Plaza Boulevard, connecting important businesses.

"Provisions have also been made to extend this corridor to Riverview and further along Champlain Boulevard," Allain said, with service every 15 minutes from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

New areas will be served by Codiac Transit thanks to the funding, including Grove Hamlet, Sunshine Drive and Salisbury Road to the Allison Baptist Church.

The area around Salisbury Road and the Moncton Industrial Park will enjoy bus service on Saturdays and Sundays for the first time.

Solar-powered bus shelters at l'Université de Moncton and at Dieppe City Hall will also serve as demonstration sites.

Four "intermodal" bus stops will link city buses with other modes of transportation, from trains, inter-city buses, the airport and even taxis.

Fundy Royal MP Rob Moore, representing the federal minister of transportation, called public transit "an important factor in enhancing the quality of life for residents of Moncton and in communities across the country."

Provincial Minister of Transportation Denis Landry said the project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 575 metric tonnes by 2011 and take 1,100 cars off the roads daily.

"Bettering our public transit systems is a practical way to reduce congestion on our streets and improve air quality," Landry said.

About one-quarter of New Brunswick's greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation and about 70 per cent of that comes from road traffic.

Moncton Mayor Lorne Mitton spoke on behalf of the three area municipal mayors.

"These investments will encourage more people to take the bus, fostering a greener community which is a key strategic priority for Moncton," Mitton said.

The average age of Codiac buses will be reduced to less than six years from the current age of more than nine years.

[ErickMontreal]

Metro resale housing markets up 35 per cent
Average price of a house in Metro Moncton almost $153,000, up $15,000 from

By Yvon Gauvin
Times & Transcript staff
Published Tuesday July 31st, 2007
Appeared on page C2

The resale market for houses in Canada reached new heights in June with several provinces, including New Brunswick, setting records for sales activity and average prices.

Metro Moncton also saw significant increases in sales dollars for June and total sales for year-to-date.

In Metro Moncton, dollar volume figures showed $48,840,040, an increase of 35 per cent over June of 2006, said Stephen McWilliams, president of the Greater Moncton Real Estate Board Inc. The figures for the year to date show a 19 per cent increase at $218,988,577, he said.

Total MLS single family housing sales were up 22 per cent in June and 13 per cent to date in 2007, he added.

The average price for a house rose from $137,860 during the first half of 2006 to $152,814 this year.

McWilliams said the trend in buying new is in semi-detached housing in the Moncton region.

"They're hot as a firecracker," he said. People like to buy new and prefer homes that are easy to maintain, easy to run, he added.

Moncton continues to do well in the real estate market overall as does New Brunswick, he added.

Dollar volume sales for New Brunswick totalled $129.9 million for June compared to $95.4 million in 2006, up 36.1 per cent. A total of 910 units sold compared to 749 in June 2006, an increase of 21.5 per cent.

The average price for the province in June was $142,734 compared to $127,406 last year, an increase of 12 per cent.

The figures for the first six months are $589.1 million compared to $465.5 million last year, an increase of 26.6 per cent. A total of 4,222 units were sold compared to 3,631 last year, an increase of 16.3 per cent.

The average price for the first six months this year is $139,539 compared to $128,205 last year, an increase of 8.8 per cent.

The Canadian Real Estate Association released figures for the first six months of 2007 for multiple listing (MLS) home sales setting records in several categories.

Seasonally adjusted home sales activity was up 8.2 per cent nationally at 287,862 for the first six months over the same period in 2006 and remains on track to set a record for the year.

A total of 133,612 units were sold during the second quarter of 2007, an increase of 3.3 per cent and the highest ever single-quarter result.

New Brunswick set a record sales during this period.

The total for June was 44,907, down one per cent, yet ranked the second highest monthly total on record.

The average price for a home also went up nationally about 10.3 per cent for the first half and for the second quarter of 2007, said the association. Every province set a record selling price average for the first half of 2007.

The average price rose 11.2 per cent in June nationally to $315,332, breaking records in several provinces including New Brunswick.

Seasonally adjusted new MLS listings totalled 214,127 for the second quarter of 2007, and in June, setting records, including in New Brunswick, the report added.

The MLS residential dollar volume set records for both the first half and for the second quarter of 2007.

The volume surpassed the $40 billion mark in the second quarter.

The seasonally adjusted dollar volume for June was $13.8 billion, an increase of 0.7 per cent over the previous May record total.
_____________________________________________________________________

Metro job forecast stays hot
Manpower survey indicates local employers will continue to add employees over next three months

By James Foster
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Saturday July 28th, 2007
Appeared on page B1

Metro Moncton employers expect to continue hiring at a "vigorous" pace until at least the autumn, a new survey suggests.

The latest Manpower Employment Outlook survey for the third quarter of 2007 shows that employers expect to continue creating jobs in this area at the same rate that they did through the spring.

"This quarter's net employment outlook indicates that the active hiring activity seen in the previous quarter will continue," says Lori Rogers, vice-president operations for Manpower Canada.

Manpower calls itself the world's biggest staffing agency. They survey employers regularly on their hiring plans and then release the data publicly.

"Employers are telling us that over the next three months they will continue to add to their payrolls at the same rate as in the preceding period," Rogers says in a news release.

This particular survey looked at hiring trends up to September.

The survey data shows that in Metro Moncton 47 per cent of employers plan to hire, while seven per cent plan to reduce their workforce. Another 43 per

cent plan to maintain their current staffing levels and three per cent are unsure of their hiring intentions.

"Moncton's third quarter net employment outlook of 40 per cent remains unchanged from the same time last year when the outlook was also 40 per cent," says Mindy Stoltz of Manpower's Charlottetown office.

The Manpower Employment Outlook survey is done quarterly to measure employers' intentions to increase or decrease staff in the coming quarter. Manpower calls it the most extensive forward-looking survey of its kind and has been carrying out the surveys for more than 40 years. They interview more than 1,700 public and private employers in 43 markets across the country, making the survey's margin of error plus or minus 2.4 per cent.

A comparison of Moncton with other markets across the country shows the Metro area fares well in comparison.

Of the 43 regions surveyed, only Edmonton (52 per cent) and Saskatoon (50 per cent) showed a higher percentage of employers planning to add more employees to their payrolls, leaving the Metro area with the nation's third highest percentage of companies that are hiring more staff.

When one factors in the seven per cent of employers who reported they were planning to subtract jobs, Metro Moncton ranks seventh-best in the nation for employers who are hiring compared to those who are cutting their roster.

Of the 10 sectors surveyed in the Atlantic region, construction employers report the most active results for the quarter with 69 per cent expecting to hire and none expecting layoffs. None of the figures for the Atlantic region are seasonally adjusted.

Wholesalers and retailers report that 56 per cent plan to hire and none plan to cut staff, while 31 per cent of manufacturers of durables planned to add to their payrolls while 13 per cent thought they would be letting some workers go. Manufacturers of non-durables fared better, with 38 per cent planning to hire and only four per cent planning to axe some jobs.

In the service sector, 30 per cent said they'd be hiring while only two per cent expected a decrease in numbers.

Metro Moncton's figures also compare well to the national average. Where 47 per cent of Metro Moncton employers intend to add workers over the summer and into September, nationally 33 per cent intend to do the same. Where seven per cent of Moncton area firms plan to cut jobs, across Canada five per cent intend to do the same.

[ErickMontreal]

Canada's Prime Minister talks business in Moncton

August 03, 2007 - 3:43 pm
By: Rebecca Davis, News 91.9 Staff

MONCTON, NB-Canada's Prime Minister visited Moncton today to take part in a round table discussion with business leaders.

While Stephen Harper never addressed the media, former New Brunswick Premier, Bernard Lord did.

He acted as a facilitator for the meeting and says the discussion was a good one.

He says they discussed a number of issues, and a convention centre for downtown Moncton was definitely one of their topics.

Lord says while there were no major commitments made on the convention centre, the Prime Minister did have a very open response.

He says they also talked about taxes, but the strongest message from the business community was their willingness to continue to succeed.

[ErickMontreal]

Convention centre is hot topic
Lack of customs service at Moncton airport, state of Petitcodiac River also

TOOL HELP
By Jesse Robichaud
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Saturday August 4th, 2007
Appeared on page A1

While former premier Bernard Lord was tapped by the Prime Minister's Office to moderate a meeting between the Steven Harper and 15 Metro Moncton business powerhouses, he had some competition.

Enterprise Greater Moncton chairman Brian Baxter called on some family connections with the prime minister to break the ice for what was called a frank, open discussion on the role the federal government can play in Metro's driving economy, from a proposed convention centre, to the Petitcodiac River and customs services at the Moncton Airport.

"His grandmother lived a block up from me, and I confessed that I used to wreck her chestnut tree, trying to get the chestnuts off it, and when she couldn't catch me, she got his uncle George to come after me," explained Baxter.

"So that broke some of the formality, so really it was a very friendly meeting."

No firm commitments to funding for any projects came out of the meeting, but Harper did state his support for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and expressed knowledge and interest in the region's priorities, Baxter said.

Baxter says the roundtable gave the business leaders a chance to deliver a strong message to Harper.

"I think (Lounsbury's President) Larry Nelson said it well, 'We get things done in Moncton, all we need is the opportunity,'" said Baxter.

Lord said the case for a downtown convention centre was made loud and clear, and it registered with Harper.

"He was very open and very frank in his response, and there is certainly a willingness for him to work with us, that's why he's here, otherwise he wouldn't be here," said Lord.

While the business leaders didn't leave with anything concrete, Baxter says the seeds have been planted for further co-operation with the federal government.

"If the prime minister understands that is a priority for our community, it helps us get the funding we need to make it through," he said.

But with a flurry of demands flying toward Ottawa from all parts of the country, Baxter said the group appreciated his frankness.

"Everybody's kicking at him and grabbing at him, and everybody wants a rink for their backyard and you know what, he didn't give us any false hope," he said of the "realistic" discussion.

Lord said the meeting was the fourth time he has hosted Harper in Moncton in the last few years, and says the meeting can only help raise the region's profile on the federal government's radar.

He said Harper's links to Moncton don't hurt either, and noted that upon presenting the prime minister with a book about hockey history in Moncton, he was informed that Harper's grandfather actually laced up his skates for the Moncton Hawks.

"Not many communities of our size have had the chance to welcome the prime minister so often here. We're pleased that he's back. He cares about this region," said Lord, who now works with the Montreal law firm of McCarthy-Tetrault.

"And every time I have a chance to speak with him or anyone in the prime minister's office, I always take the opportunity to put a plug in for Moncton and New Brunswick."

Lord was contacted a little over a week ago to bring together Metro Moncton business people for the private roundtable discussion.

He responded to repeated questions about why Premier Shawn Graham was bypassed in the exercise by saying the meeting, which was hosted by Downtown Moncton Centreville Inc., was simply not political. Other questions that hinted that the meeting was a means to rally support for the federal Conservatives were also brushed off.

Aside from the convention centre, insufficient customs services at the Greater Moncton International Airport was also a hot topic.

Baxter says Harper was puzzled by the situation which sees Moncton-bound flights redirected toward Halifax after midnight because of a lack of customs staff here.

"He was upfront. He said 'I don't understand this' and I will have our Minister of Public Safety Stockwell Day look into it, and I understand he has already done that," he said.

Lynne Coyle, Manager of WestJet Moncton, helped explain how the development of the region's economy, and the airport itself, are being negatively affected by the situation, as flights are rerouted to Halifax, and charters are discouraged from adding flights to Metro.

Baxter says Harper asked "why can't we just fix it."

While the Petitcodiac River and Dieppe's burgeoning aerospace park were touched on briefly, there was lots of discussion regarding the region's Inland Port concept and the Atlantic Gateway.

"We would like to be the catalyst of the Atlantic Gateway, instead of going from Halifax to Moncton, why don't we go from Moncton to Halifax, and we think we have the economic platform here to do that," said Baxter.

Requests have been made to the federal government for seed money to help get the Inland Port off the ground, but there are still strides to be made to decide how and if both projects can work together.

Baxter said the presence of Wesley Armour, CEO of Armour Transportation, who is very involved in Inland Port project, helped move that discussion along.

But a convention centre remained the big topic, says the president of Downtown Moncton Centreville Inc., Maura Mckinnon.

"What's really important is that the three local area mayors have indicated that the convention centre is a priority for all of greater Moncton, not just Moncton, so it is an example of co-operation of our three local area mayors and councils," she said.

McKinnon said the meeting was a good follow-up meetings held in March in Ottawa between a local delegation and federal officials.

"Each time you have a new change in government, the file kind of goes back and you have to start over, so I think we're in a very good place now in terms of the contacts we made both in March when we were in Ottawa and today."

Those behind the project are asking for a 9 million contribution from Ottawa, and a 4.5 million contribution from the province.

While Ottawa has not offered little indication of its intentions, McKinnon remains optimistic.

"Moncton is an economic driver for the province, and if we were to have a convention centre it would allow us to compete for conventions that would normally go to Toronto or Montreal or Halifax, so they are very aware of the importance of this to Greater Moncton and to our future so we will have to wait and see."
__________________________________________________________________________

New pharmacy


Published Saturday August 4th, 2007
Appeared on page d3

Work is under way on Mapleton Road in Moncton on a new Lawton’s Drugstore. The 162-square-metre (1,800- square-foot), two-storey building is being constructed at a cost of $1.5 million. The site is in the parking lot of Mapleton Plaza near Mike’s Restaurant. The century-old Lawton’s Drugstore chain is owned by Sobeys.

[ErickMontreal]

New project in Dieppe

There will be a total of 126 condominiums and 122 apartments, all of them luxurious. There are lots of possibilities for condo layout given that we have ten different design configurations. With the many options, and something to fit every style and taste, the hardest part will be deciding what you want. In addition, a whole range of services, including restaurants and cafés, an economuseum, a fitness centre and an aquatic centre will make every day feel like a holiday for residents and visitors. And everything is close at hand.

The following details cover gross leasable area (GLA) for the Uptown project:

Gross leasable area (GLA) 479 489 square feet
Commercial sector: 234 533 square feet (79 spaces)
Residential sector: 238 956 square feet - 126 units for condos (127 115 sq. Ft) and 122 apartments (111 841 sq. ft)
Parking: 1010
Number of acres: 22 (excluding the ponds, the Dieppe Aquatic and Sports Centre and the section located east of Dieppe Boulevard)

http://uptowndieppe.ca

[ErickMontreal]

Moncton business leaders list local concerns for PM

Development: Help with convention centre tops agenda at meeting with Harper

Telegraph-Journal
Published Saturday August 4th, 2007
Appeared on page C1

MONCTON - A coveted downtown convention centre was high on the list of priorities for a select group of business leaders as they talked with Prime Minister Stephen Harper in an exclusive meeting.

"The number-one issue was the convention centre," said Brian Baxter, chief executive officer of Botsford Investments and chairman of Enterprise Greater Moncton.

"We were in Ottawa in February pitching our case to the federal government, through the efforts of (New Brunswick's cabinet representative Greg) Thompson," he said. "But it's really neat to have the prime minister in downtown Moncton talking about a downtown Moncton project."

The business community and municipal leaders in Moncton are striving to get a three-way funding deal between the city, the province and the federal government for an $18-million convention centre and hotel complex.

Harper was in Moncton on Friday afternoon for an hour-long meeting with 14 local business leaders and community business group executives.

He arrived after visiting flood-ravaged areas in Newfoundland in the morning.

Following the meeting the prime minister headed to a barbeque in Foreign Affairs Minister Peter McKay's Nova Scotia riding.

While he was available for a brief photo opportunity, Harper did not speak with reporters in Moncton.

Baxter said while the convention centre project was the top priority, participants in the meeting told Harper about their frustrations with customs services at the Greater Moncton International Airport.

The airport's executives and the Moncton business community have been decrying for months the lack of 24-hour, seven-day-a-week service at the Moncton airport.

They fear without such service - which is available at rival Robert L. Stanfield International Airport in Halifax - further growth at the Moncton airport could be stymied.

Baxter said the prime minister couldn't understand why the Moncton airport didn't have 24-hour, seven-day-a-week service.

"He was upfront. He said 'I don't understand this and I will have our minister of public safety, Stockwell Day, look into it' - which I understand he's already doing," said Baxter.

In addition to discussing the convention centre and customs service, the business leaders also talked about the proposed inland port at the Moncton airport.

An inland port is a distribution centre at which containers shipped by rail or road from a seaport are offloaded. Cargo is sorted and repackaged and sent to its destination.

Baxter said business leaders pressed the federal government for support for the project.

"We're looking for some money from them to help us set up the operations of the inland port," said Baxter.

The federal money would be used to help plan and design the facility, he said.

While encouraged by the meeting, Baxter said he didn't leave it with any firm expectations.

"He didn't give us any false hope. He said 'look you've got to understand' - and we all did (understand) the demands on the guy. We didn't put any excessive demands on him at all."

The prime minister's meeting with business leaders - and a strategy session beforehand - was moderated by former New Brunswick premier Bernard Lord.

Lord said after the meeting that he received a call from the prime minister's office last week to help organize the business gathering.

Working with the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Greater Moncton and Downtown Moncton Inc., Lord brought together executives from the transportation, manufacturing, financial, insurance and investment sectors.

Among the participant were Robert Irving, president of the Irving Moncton group of companies; Wes Armour, chief executive officer of Armour Transportation Systems; Susan Hicks of Technology Venture Group; Pierre-Yves Julien, president of Medavie Blue Cross; Larry Nelson, president of Lounsbury Company Limited; and Lynne Coyle, manager of WestJet Moncton.

"We had a very good, very positive discussion with the prime minister," said Lord.

Lord said the prime minister had a "very open" response to the convention centre funding request.

"(But there was) no money commitment today, no one expected that at this moment."

Daniel Allain, executive director of Downtown Moncton Inc., said the overall theme of the meeting was that business leaders in Moncton want to work with the prime minister and the federal Conservative government.

[ErickMontreal]

Hub City prepares to assume spotlight
Summit Council of Federation summit thrusts Moncton onto national stage

Quentin Casey
Telegraph-Journal
Published Monday August 6th, 2007
Appeared on page A1

New flowers have been planted and flags raised. A menu stocked with seafood has been carefully drawn up, and the best of the surrounding area is ready to be showcased.

Simply put, New Brunswick's Hub City is ready for its time on the national stage.

Starting Wednesday, more than 300 visitors from every corner of the country will descend on Moncton for the annual gathering of the Council of the Federation.

For three days, Canada's 13 provincial and territorial leaders will gather for meetings, expected to focus mainly on energy and climate change issues.

A summer tradition, the conference allows the premiers to draft new policy and discuss pressing political topics.

But with more than 200 delegates (including family and political staffers) and more than 100 members of the media expected, the event will also display Moncton, and Maritime hospitality, to the rest of the country.

Acadian culture, local dishes, music, and tourism treasures such as the Hopewell Rocks will all be highlighted.

And at the centre will be Moncton.

Mayor Lorne Mitton is excited to welcome his guests and says he will underline the city's "vibrant" downtown, business-friendly atmosphere and great way of life.

"We're pleased and privileged that this event is being held here. We're working hard to make our city looks very, very good," he said.

"We want to make the premier proud that the event was held in Moncton."

Thursday and Friday will see the bulk of the policy work done behind closed doors at the Delta Beauséjour hotel.

The Beauséjour's executive chef, Stefan Muller, will oversee many of the meals served to delegates.

He has been planning his menu for months and guards its contents like secrets affecting national security.

"You'll have to wait and see," he says. "I'm being very careful."

His only hint: local products, such as scallops, salmon, apples, potatoes and special cheeses, will be in abundance.

"We want to promote New Brunswick products as best we can."

Muller, who has also presided over dinners for the likes of Queen Elizabeth II and former U.S. president George H. Bush, says it's a treat to cook for special guests.

"It's always a lot of fun and a new challenge to come up with different items," he says. "But it was very challenging to come up with a specific local item (to profile)."

The conference, held last year in St. John's, N.L., usually allows for one night of special food and entertainment - to briefly free delegates from their political discussions and wrangling.

That event will be held Thursday in Premier Shawn Graham's Kent riding at the Acadian cultural village, Le Pays de la Sagouine.

Located in Bouctouche, visitors will reach the small island via a wooden boardwalk and be treated to a variety of food, theatre and music, including Acadian and aboriginal tunes.

Executive director Paul LeBlanc calls the site the ideal location for an evening getaway.

"We hope it will be fun - a good break from their meetings. We'll have a good show there for them," he says.

"Everything featured is going to be from New Brunswick, from the appetizers to the menu. You can bet your boots there will be scallops and lobster and salmon.

"They'll be able to kick back and we'll end the night with some beautiful song and dance and fireworks."

Both Graham and his wife, Roxanne Reeves, will have a hand in guiding the delegates.

Graham, who also serves as minister of wellness, has organized morning jogs along the Petitcodiac River.

It's not known how many of the leaders will brave an early morning wake-up call to join the young premier for a stroll at 6:30 a.m.

Reeves will lead excursions for the spouses and children of the premiers.

A trip south of Moncton, to the Hopewell Rocks and famous tides of the Bay of Fundy is also planned.

A final event will take place after the concluding news conference on Friday afternoon. Premiers not pressed to hurry home will play a round of golf at the Fox Creek Golf Club in Dieppe.

"There will be a buzz in the Moncton area, it's definitely going to be busy," said one staffer in the premier's office of the events planned over the past year.

Concluded Graham of the event's importance: "This is New Brunswick's chance to shine."

[ErickMontreal]

Announcement expected today on future of the Petitcodiac River

August 07, 2007 - 7:35 am
By: Chris McKee

MONCTON, NB - A major announcement on the future of the Petitcodiac River is expected today in Moncton.

Provincial Supply and Services Minister Roly MacIntyre will announce this morning that the province plans to construct a 280-metre bridge to replace the Petitcodiac River Causeway.

The project was selected from a list of four options drafted in an environmental impact assessment.

According to the Telegraph Journal, the project will see a bridge constructed downstream from the existing causeway gates, which will be destroyed.

The paper says it will cost an estimated $54.6 million and provincial officials will negotiate with federal counterparts for a funding agreement.

The project is expected to restore the river to 82 per cent of its original flow.

[ErickMontreal]

Option selected for restoration of Petitcodiac River (07/08/07)



"Replacing the Petitcodiac River Causeway with a 280-metre long bridge is the preferred option for this project," MacIntyre said. "It offers the most positive environmental benefits for the river. The next step is to secure a federal/provincial funding agreement. Federal support is critical due to Ottawa's previous involvement in the causeway and the size and cost of this project."

MacIntyre said the causeway was built in 1968 with the collaboration, financial support and approval of the federal government, and the province needs a partnership with Ottawa to solve the long-standing issues surrounding it.

The province's preferred option includes permanently opening the gates to allow fish passage and constructing the new 280-metre long bridge immediately downstream of the existing bridge. The new structure will have four lanes of traffic and will tie into the existing Findlay Boulevard and approach ramps on the Riverview side of the Petitcodiac. Once the new bridge is completed, the existing gates structure will be removed to allow for an eventual river opening of between 72 and 225 metres wide.

Subject to a partnership agreement, the work will be carried out in three phases: two years for planning and site preparation; two years for opening the gates and environmental monitoring of the river; and three to four years for construction of the new bridge, depending on funding support and seasonal weather conditions at the time.

"The Province of New Brunswick is committed to this project," MacIntyre said. "It's going to take time and money and it will have to be done in phases in partnership with the federal government. We also have to make sure the project proceeds in compliance with the environmental approval process and all 17 conditions as set out by the provincial Department of Environment."

In 2002, Supply and Services undertook the management of a federal-provincial environmental impact assessment (EIA) to study possible modifications to the causeway in order to solve fish passage and other ecosystem issues on the river. In December 2006, the final EIA report, including four options, was approved by the Department of Environment.

Federal involvement in the causeway dates back to the time of its construction and later included a federal/provincial memorandum of understanding which was signed in 1996 to develop a long-term solution to fish passage.

In 2000, the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans announced a thorough review of all issues surrounding the causeway.

07/08/07

[MonctonGoldenFlames]

I can't believe it's taken this long to try to get those damn gates open permanently. The feet dragging on this topic is embarassing. I remember this being a hot topic back in junior high....over 13 yrs ago!