Latest news with #Fredericton
CBC
a day ago
- Health
- CBC
Fredericton mobile outreach van to run 24/7 thanks to federal funding
An outreach team run out of a Sprinter van is now working around the clock thanks to funding through a federal overdose prevention fund. "With the teamwork and the smarts that we have here in Fredericton, along with the support that we've received from the federal government, I am confident that this project is going to have a meaningful life changing impact," said Fredericton Mayor Kate Rogers. The funding will expand the hours of the mobile outreach team, which helps to connect those living rough to services, administers and distributes naloxone kits, and provides addictions support. The van was purchased by the City of Fredericton and is run by the John Howard Society of Fredericton. Six new staff members will be hired and trained in mental-health first aid, trauma informed care, overdose prevention and suicide intervention. John Barrow, executive director of the John Howard Society, said the team now works with about 200 people a day and 30 people a night. The daytime service has been in place for nearly a decade. "I think the biggest thing is to meet people where they're at," Barrow said. "A lot of times when they're requesting intervention or support services, the time to do it is in the moment." "We've got a team now that can respond to folks who are directly on the streets at the point when they want the intervention. That's the time to strike." The funding comes from the Emergency Treatment Fund and is one of four programs in Atlantic Canada receiving a total of $2.8 million. Miramichi, Amherst, Nova Scotia, and St. John's are the other three communities receiving funding for community programs, but neither the Fredericton event nor the news release included any details about what those programs are. The Fredericton portion of the funding is $578,100. Fredericton addictions outreach van to go 24/7 21 minutes ago Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michelle was in Fredericton for the announcement and confirmed the funding is only for one year, after which the program will be "reassessed." "We don't know, you know, in a year where we will be with this crisis, is it going to improve? Is it going to be a big one? So we will adapt," she said. "We need to understand talking about mental health challenges, those crises, it cannot be solved in one day. We collectively have to improve access for people to get not only emergency [services], but also treatment and what works for them." Rogers was quick to say the City of Fredericton will enure the program receives the funding it needs. "I'm certain it will demonstrate that it has had an impact," she said. "When you work with a trusted organization like John Howard, I think we all work together to see how we can continue to support that project. We have been supporting them, locally, provincially and I know the federal government will now see proof of concept in this work." Roger said she is "confident that we will see ongoing support for this project."
CBC
a day ago
- Health
- CBC
Fredericton addictions outreach van to go 24/7
Federal government funding will allow a Fredericton outreach program to operate around the clock. The goal is to help 30 people a night.
CTV News
a day ago
- Health
- CTV News
Ottawa spending $2.8M to fight overdose crisis in Atlantic Canada
Minister of Health Marjorie Michel rises during Question Period on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Monday, June 2, 2025. The federal government is spending $2.8 million to combat the overdose crisis across Atlantic Canada. Marjorie Michel, minister of health, announced the money will support projects in Fredericton and Miramichi in New Brunswick, Amherst in Nova Scotia and St. John's in Newfoundland and Labrador. The money will come from the Emergency Treatment Fund. 'This funding will deliver immediate support where it is needed most,' said Michel. 'We are using every tool available to connect people to care, address urgent local challenges, and keep our communities safe.' The John Howard Society and the City of Fredericton will use the money to expand outreach efforts, adding overnight services for vulnerable populations. The program will deliver supplies, distribute naloxone and offer overdose support. 'By extending outreach efforts into the overnight hours, we aim to ensure that no one is left without access to essential services—regardless of the time of day,' said John Barrow, executive director of the Society. 'These new overnight outreach services will work in close coordination with existing daytime programs, creating a continuous and responsive support system that prioritizes safety, connection to services, and community care.' More to come…
CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
Fredericton farmers' market receives nearly $1 million
Atlantic Watch A farmers' market in Fredericton will be able to do several upgrades after receiving nearly $1 million in government money.
CBC
a day ago
- Sport
- CBC
Hockey dad launches 'friendly' club for women, girls
Hockey has been a big part of Doug Grandy's life since he was a young athlete playing on Fredericton ice. Now, as a father of two young girls, he's returning to those same rinks but with a different purpose. Despite record-setting hockey enrolment from girls across the country, he said, there are still challenges facing young female athletes in a male-dominated sport, where top players are often compelled to join co-ed leagues, and the options for recreational hockey are in short supply. There are also considerable financial pressures and time commitments associated with competitive hockey, leaving many without an avenue for ice time. Grandy said he has one daughter who is competitive, while the other simply loves to play. He wanted to create a space for both of them — and all girls — to feel welcome and supported. "I feel like with female hockey, sometimes the equality isn't always there like it should be," he said. "The boys hockey … it just seems to take a forefront and a lot of the girls don't really have a place to call their own." That's why he created Rink Rebels, a club where girls gather on and off the ice to play, train and develop in their sport, no matter where they're starting from. "We're open to rec players and Triple-A players," he said. "We don't want to leave any girl out. We want to make it somewhere where all girls feel welcome here, and it's somewhere where they can grow confidence and meet other girls and somewhere to call their own." There are fees to cover basic expenses like ice time and coaching, including $20 to join an ice session, and $25 to take part in an instructional dry-land workout. There are also some subsidized rates for those who want to play but struggle to afford it. Katia Pelowich has just wrapped up four seasons with the St. Thomas University Tommies and is going to play for the Concordia University Stingers next season in Montreal. For now though, she's having what she calls a "surreal experience" as a coach with the Rink Rebels. "Growing up, I never had something like this," she said. "So just getting involved in something I love and I'm passionate for has been awesome so far." Pelowich said she had older brothers in hockey to look up to, who encouraged her to succeed and stick with the sport. But having female friends to connect and play with "would have been fabulous." WATCH | Under-18 girls find coaching and camaraderie at Rink Rebels: Now, she's one of the role models for up-and-coming athletes like Lexie Thompson. "It's pretty cool to play with players on Tommies," Thompson said. "I look up to them. I always look forward to one of the older girls being on the ice because it makes it a more fun experience." Thompson played under-15 AAA for the past two years, but will soon try out for an under-18 team. "I'm mainly just here to have fun — and train," she said. "When I'm having fun, and playing my best … it brings me to my full potential." Female athletics on the rise It's that positive environment that experts say fosters a lifelong love of sport, and that's crucial for female athletes. According to a recent study, 63 per cent of girls ages six to 18 report taking part in team or individual sports weekly. That's compared to 68 per cent of boys. The research was conducted by the non-profit, Canadian Women & Sport, and IMI Consulting, who surveyed more than 2,000 girls last summer. It calls for greater investment in girls' sporting organizations, tailored coaching, and safer and more supportive environments to help close that gap. When it comes to hockey, there were 15,606 players registered in New Brunswick for the 2023-2024 season, with 3,290 of them — or 21 per cent — women and girls. That's a 42 per cent increase in female registrations in just five years. And the growth is happening across the country, according to Hockey Canada's latest figures released last month. They show a record 603,000 female players registered in sanctioned programs last season. Despite the increase in female involvement, Grandy said the access to equal opportunities for beginners, late bloomers, or those who are aging out of their league, isn't always there. And if it's just about the competition, he said, you can lose a lot of players. "We do have a lot of older girls as you see out here today," he said. "And these girls are the ones that are 17, 18, that are at the end of their [minor] hockey career. But they still love it." "We always have to go back to the grassroots: why did the girls start playing? They started playing because of the community, everybody that's around them. So as long as we stick to that here with the Rink Rebels, I think that we're going to be able to help a lot of girls." Friendship tournament Rink Rebels will host its first tournament from Aug. 8-10, bringing in young girls from across the Maritimes, as well as Maine and Ontario. With close to 200 young athletes signed up for the weekend event Grandy said it shows there is a desire for this type of friendly competition. "They'll play for the weekend and they'll play for a championship, so there is a little bit of competition, but the idea is that they come and they meet more girls, so that when they do get back on the ice, that community exists everywhere, right?" It's an event Ava Burns is excited about. She plays right wing for the Triple-A Fredericton High School's Black Kats hockey team, but in her spare time, she's a junior coach with Rink Rebels, which she calls a refreshing change. "Everyone is included," she said. "Anyone can join, no matter your background, whether you played the year before, or your skill level. You come through Rink Rebels, you join the movement, and you're part of the family immediately." "Not everything about hockey is positive. But you come here and it's all smiles at the rink." Burns said she looks forward to going "head to head with some of these players around the province" next month. "Just the opportunity to meet them and regroup and gain positivity with them and become friends with players, so when we're in this tournament and in the regular season, it just adds more fun to the game," she said.
