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Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Town moves ahead with taxi bylaw repeal
Sussex has scrapped its taxi bylaw after receiving a legal opinion that it could do so without inadvertently banning cabs. A bylaw to repeal the town's taxi bylaw was passed May 20 at Sussex's town council meeting. It had been introduced in February, but was pulled off the agenda after the province told Brunswick News that a bylaw must be in place for a rideshare or taxicab company to operate. A provision of the provincial Motor Vehicle Act added in 2020 reads that 'no vehicle-for-hire company shall carry on business ... unless authorized to do so by the local authority.' 'A by-law must be in place if a for-hire company is operating within a municipality, and the vehicles must operate in accordance with the Motor Vehicle Act. These regulations also apply to taxicabs,' provincial department of justice spokesperson Jadesola Emmanuel said in March. Sussex CAO Jason Thorne said when they reached out to the province, they were advised to get a legal opinion, and their solicitor had told them that there was a distinction between taxicabs and rideshare companies such as Uber or Uride, and that the provision only applied to the latter. A vehicle-for-hire company is defined by the act as 'a person who uses or offers a technology platform to facilitate the offer of vehicle-for-hire services.' A taxicab is described as 'a motor vehicle, other than a bus, during any period in which the vehicle is being used to transport a person for remuneration.' Thorne said the opinion was presented to committee last week, and that council was told that 'ironically, we could very well find ourselves in situation where we are enacting a bylaw for exactly that reason' if they wanted to eventually welcome vehicle-for-hire services in the community. 'At this time, we have not had any direct discussions with the Town of Sussex regarding this change,' Emmanuel said on May 26. 'However, ride-share and taxi companies are required to obtain municipal approval to operate whether through a bylaw or another form of formal agreement.' Emmanuel did not reply when asked if taxis were currently permitted to operate in Sussex without the bylaw. The town had moved to repeal the bylaw, passed in 2022, over concerns that it was not being enforced, Mayor Marc Thorne said in March. The bylaw calls for police to inspect cabs, which Thorne said after the meeting in May has not been happening and is not part of the town's RCMP agreement. At the meeting, Coun. Paul Maguire said the town had regulated taxis for more than 60 years, and said repealing the bylaw would be 'lowering the public safety standards for taxicabs.' Deputy mayor Tim Wilson said the 'dillemma is it's not enforceable,' saying that 'I'm not sure what you'd accomplish' leaving it in for appearance's sake. Jason Thorne told council their legal opinion found they're in 'a more precarious position' by having an unenforced bylaw than having no bylaw at all. The repeal bylaw passed third reading and was enacted by a 4-3 vote, with Maguire, Coun. Doug Bobbitt and Coun. Eric Nelson voting against. Marc Thorne said that they have occasionally asked the local cab companies for information and not heard back, saying that they wouldn't be able to hire a bylaw enforcement officer to cover it because with the small number of cabs, they could never make the money back. 'We only have a couple of taxi firms with just a few taxis, so this is just a small part of our corporate community,' he said, adding 'the cost to administrate the bylaw is many times bigger than you'd ever derive from it.' He added that not enforcing the bylaw opened up liability for the town if anything ever happened. Meanwhile, he said the provincial law already has requirements ensuring vehicles stay roadworthy. Thorne called the confusion over the 2020 changes 'frustrating,' which was why they got the legal opinion. Brunswick News made a request for comment to Allen's Taxi and is awaiting a response. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
26-05-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Accused in uptown shooting gets time to secure lawyer
One of three people charged with first-degree murder in an uptown shooting last week appeared in court on Wednesday. Hayden David Donald-Bentley, 20, of Foulis Court, was charged with first-degree murder on May 14 in the death of Thomas Connor Wilson, according to court documents. Police said Tuesday last week that they responded to a report of shots fired in the Carmarthen Street and King Street area and found a 20-year-old dead in a vehicle. Police warned residents in the area to shelter in place, and an hours-long manhunt for three suspects ensued uptown and also on Clover Court in West Saint John. Donald-Bentley was arrested May 13, according to court records, with police saying May 14 that the second two suspects were in custody. On Wednesday, Donald-Bentley appeared by video and lawyer Reid Chedore, representing Brian Munro, asked for an additional two weeks so the two could talk, saying Munro had not yet been engaged on the case. Judge Lucie Mathurin adjourned the case to June 3. Donald-Bentley also faces weapons charges dated to Jan. 17. Charles Bryant, Donald-Bentley's lawyer on those charges, asked for the case to be rescheduled to the same date. Sheldon Scrubb, 30, of Hampton Road in Quispamsis, has also been charged with first-degree murder in the case and is set to return to court May 28. His lawyer Nathan Gorham told Brunswick News last week that he intends to plead not guilty. On May 14, police said a 17-year-old appeared and was charged with first-degree murder, and was set to return Wednesday. A publication ban under the Youth Criminal Justice Act covers the identity of that defendant. - with files from Barbara Simpson, Brice McVicar
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tories easily hang onto western N.B.
Conservative candidate and incumbent Richard Bragdon easily won the Tobique-Mactaquac riding Monday night with more than 60 per cent of the vote with most polls counted. Liberal Julian Moulton had about 32 per cent of the vote. 'I am honoured and thrilled to continue to you represent this riding,' he told his supporters gathered at the Best Western Hotel Plus Woodstock Inn & Suites. 'When I first started, I was told you run like you are five points down and never stop running until the end of the campaign,' he told Brunswick News after his victory speech. 'Tobique-Mactaquac is filled with amazing people and to hear the stories at the door and to hear the challenges that people are facing, whether its the cost of living, or affordability … I hope that we are entrusted with the ability to govern in whatever shape that may take.' At the time, he was still watching as results came in from the rest of the country, and despite not knowing how his party did nationally, he said he'll be working for his constituents in either form – within government or holding 'government to account.' 'You make sure that you are that critical lens that is looking on decisions governed to make sure the best policies possible come forward that better reflect the concerns of our region, which often gets overlooked,' he said. 'It is important that rural Canadians feel like they have a strong voice and standing up for small towns, agriculture, resources, manufacturing, trucking, these are things that fill our region, and we need more voices in the House of Commons.' Bragdon, who has held the western New Brunswick riding since 2019, won in the 2021 election with a landslide 51 per cent of the vote. His closest rival was Liberal Cully Robinson, with 23.9 per cent of the vote. During his time in the last parliament, Bragdon introduced a bill that was passed into law to prevent criminals from reoffending after serving their sentences by supporting rehabilitation and reintegration programs. — with files from Shana Grey — — — Tobique-Mactaquac candidates: Conservative : Richard Bragdon Liberal : Julian Moulton People's Party : Vern Brundle Green Party : Liam MacDougall New Democrat : Michael John Winter
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Province to lower students' assessment targets
The government says it's going to lower provincial assessment targets in New Brunswick schools because it deflates everyone involved when they aren't hit. The current target is for 90 per cent of students to 'achieve appropriate or higher levels on provincial language, mathematical and scientific literacies on provincial assessments at the elementary, middle and high school levels.' While assessment scores are showing an upward trend – in 2023-2024, percentages rose in 10 of 15 subjects on a year-over-year basis – the 90 per cent mark isn't being hit anywhere. And in most cases, it's not close to being achieved. Education Minister Claire Johnson revealed the news while talking to Brunswick News during a break from her department's appearance before a legislative committee on Thursday. 'We're developing a new 10-year (education) plan, so part of that is going to be to revisit those targets and to have more realistic goals,' Johnson said. Asked if that means the targets will be lowered, Johnson confirmed it would. 'We'd like some more realistic, more attainable goals. So yes, I envision that that's going to be part of our 10-year plan … we're looking at making incremental improvements and to track them over time and to make sure that they're realistic.' She didn't say what the new target might be. Johnson agreed that it's a similar situation to the health department's targets, which generally call for about four to six per cent improvements over the Liberals' mandate. Those targets, unveiled at January's State of the Province address, were immediately slammed as 'unambitious' by the Progressive Conservatives and Greens. Johnson was one of five cabinet ministers called up to the stage that night to talk about how her department will hit the targets it's been set. There was no discussion about lowering the existing 90 per cent target. When Brunswick News noted that the targets Johnson intends to lower were set by the Gallant Liberal government, and whether she thinks that administration set them too high, Johnson initially said no, before suggesting they were. 'I can understand why (they did it),' she said. 'Why not shoot for the stars? Why not aim for really, really, really good? 'But what we've noticed is that that's not particularly helpful, because then when we can't reach those goals, people feel deflated. So instead of having that type of setup, we're preferring to do it in a more incremental, realistic way. 'And I mean, hey, we live and learn. We tried it, it didn't work that well. So we're readjusting and coming up with a new plan for the next years to come.' Progressive Conservative education critic Ian Lee described the 2023-2024 results as 'quite abysmal.' He told Brunswick News that he's crunched the numbers, and at the current rate of improvement, it would take 20 years to hit the 90 per cent target. Successive governments' track records with hitting their education targets have been woeful. For example, the current 10-year education plan, which expires in August 2026, set dozens of targets for the anglophone and francophone sectors. Currently, only four of those targets have been met, and none are academic. The 2023-2024 results paint a picture of an education system clearly failing to hit the government's targets. 'Ninety per cent of students will achieve appropriate or higher levels on provincial language, mathematical and scientific literacies on provincial assessments at the elementary, middle and high school levels,' reads a note above the results. No district came close. The message also discusses the importance of the results. 'Provincial assessments provide important information about the education system in New Brunswick. For educators, they provide feedback about alignment with provincial curricular standards and the appropriateness of their expectations for students. For the public, it ensures transparency related to how the system is performing,' it reads. The short answer to the performance question? Not great. In Anglophone School District North, for example, the grades four and five English reading score was 56.2 per cent, a two per cent year-over-year drop. But it was still better than the provincial average of 55.6 per cent. The highest score in the district was 81.1 per cent, achieved in Grade 6 English reading. The lowest score was 51.8 per cent in Grade 10 French second language reading. In Anglophone School District West, French second language reading scores were lowest, at 45.7 per cent. The provincial average was even lower (44.6 per cent). The highest score was 79.1 per cent in Grade 9 English reading. Grade 9 English reading was also a strong point in Anglophone School District South (85.7 per cent), while the low mark was Grade 7 French second language reading (43.3 per cent). In Anglophone School District East, the Grade 9 English Language Proficiency Assessment was the highest, at 83.2 per cent. The lowest was in Grade 7 math (48.8 per cent). In a message accompanying the results, Johnson painted a generally positive picture of the state of the education system, and didn't mention the 90 per cent target. 'Looking at the 2023-24 assessments results, we are pleased that 10 of the 15 assessments showed improved results compared to the previous year,' she said. 'In particular, the continued growth in English reading is encouraging. Seventy-six per cent of Grade 6 students and eighty-two per cent of Grade 9 students were successful on these assessments. There were also gains in scientific literacy, where seventy-six per cent of Grade 6 students and seventy-five per cent of Grade 8 students were successful in these assessments. These are accomplishments worth celebrating and motivate us to keep working. 'The results showed a decline in English reading assessments in Grade 4. While the decline was small – one percentage point across the province – we are concerned because we know how important literacy is. 'We continue to work tirelessly to ensure we can help our students develop those skills. Our efforts are illustrated by a six per cent increase in assessment success for Grade 6 students, and an almost two per cent increase in success on the Grade 9 English Language Proficiency Assessment, compared to last year.' Under questioning from Lee on Thursday, Johnson did her best to put a positive spin on the results, while agreeing they aren't stellar. 'The good news is that we've got data to show what our baseline is, and it shows that there are improvements that need to happen further to that,' Johnson said. 'We've got a solid plan based on research, evidence and data.' Asked by Brunswick News why she'd say that given that the province has been tracking provincial test scores for years, Johnson said she was referring to the new Liberal government having a baseline of data to work from.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City hopes to begin painting road lines soon, weather permitting
SAINT JOHN – The city's road marking and line painting should begin in the next couple of weeks, weather depending, and if it seems like it fades quickly throughout the year, it's because federal regulations force the city to use water-based paint. That's what Public Works Director Tim O'Reilly told council at the last meeting when he was asked by Mayor Donna Reardon why the city uses water-based paint when it fades so quickly during the year. Federal regulations state that oil-based paint cannot be used, he said, between May 1-Oct. 15 for environmental protection reasons. And with Saint John weather being what it is, he later told Brunswick News they would not be able to use the longer-lasting oil-based paint in the timeframe allowed. The city will spend $143,730.33 plus HST – $165,289.88 – on road paint this year, according to the Public Works report. Each year city staff paints approximately 400 km of lines and 3,300 traffic markings, with yellow and white lines, bike lane lines, directional symbols and crosswalk lines on the list. O'Reilly expressed frustration at the fact that water-based paint does fade faster and said they are studying alternatives. He said the city does use a 3M tape in some areas. There's also a plastic material that is melted into the surface with a heat source. As well, they have experimented with a chemical product called methyl methacrylate, which is a two-component traffic-paint liquid that consists of a resin and a catalyst that hardens into place. 'What we've found is that with those (alternatives), they don't last any more than a couple of years, and the application cost is certainly greater than a water-based paint,' he said. 'So we just haven't found that right product that lasts longer and is more economical for us (to use) than water-based paint.' About 80 per cent of the city's paint is procured from a company called Stinson Equipment, for which the city has what is called a 'sole-source procurement.' That agreement was put into place in 2016 because the Quebec-based company provided the quality the city needed. 'Prior to that year, we had a couple of years in a row we had suppliers that provided us with paint that clogged up our machines and impeded our ability to get the painting done on schedule in those years,' he said. 'We've been sole sourcing just to that one company, which has consistently been providing us paint that works well.' O'Reilly said in the hopes of cutting down on expenses, the city opened up the bidding process last year, with 20 per cent of the paint now coming from Sherwin-Williams. Going forward, the remaining 20 per cent will be purchased by a competitive process with pre-qualified vendors.
