(NB-Seclusion-Rooms)
New Brunswick’s child and youth advocate says seclusion rooms — small, windowless areas where teachers can place children if they misbehave — should be used only as a last resort.
In his report, Kelly Lamrock raises concerns about how seclusion rooms have become an accepted practice, the lack of data on how frequently these are used and which schools use them the most.
He says the practice of sending students to seclusion rooms — which can start with kids as young as kindergarten — is happening without adequate oversight.
Lamrock also says there are jurisdictions in Canada and the United States that have moved to regulate or ban seclusion rooms, and the same should be considered in New Brunswick.
(The Canadian Press)
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(NB-Clean-Electricity)
New Brunswick’s Green Leader is calling on the Liberal government to make solar energy the “norm” in the province.
David Coon’s remarks come after the federal government announced it will support up to 670 megawatts of Indigenous-led wind projects with almost one billion dollars in spending.
He says it makes more sense for homes and businesses to generate solar energy than to buy electricity from N-B Power.
Coon says solar is the cheapest and cleanest form of energy and helps people save money on their power bills.
(The Canadian Press)
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(NB-Inquest-Scheduled)
A coroner’s inquest has been scheduled to look into the death of a New Brunswick woman at a hospital.
Kaytlyn Hemsworth died on April 11th last year in the psychiatric facility of the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre in Moncton.
A news release says the inquest is scheduled from January 27th to 31st at the Moncton courthouse.
It says deputy chief coroner Emily Caissy and a jury will publicly hear evidence from witnesses to determine the facts surrounding this death, including its cause and manner of death.
(The Canadian Press)
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(NL-Police-Assault)
Police in Newfoundland and Labrador say a 30-year-old man is facing criminal charges for allegedly assaulting a police officer and refusing to provide a breath sample.
They say officers responded to a call yesterday evening about a man driving an all-terrain vehicle in Little Bay who seemed to be impaired.
Police alleged the man initially refused to exit the vehicle, resisted arrest and while being arrested assaulted two police officers.
They say he is facing several charges including two counts of assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, impaired operation and refusing to comply with a breath demand.
(The Canadian Press)
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(PEI-Social-Cheques)
Prince Edward Island says the semi-annual school-age allowance for families in social programs is available for pick up during the Canada Post strike.
A news release says clients can pick up their cheques from their local social programs office starting Thursday, from 8:30 a-m to 5 p-m in Charlottetown, Summerside, O’Leary, Montague, and Souris.
It says cheques will not be mailed even if the Canada Post strike ends before Thursday to ensure people get their payments in a timely manner.
This allowance is paid in August and December to eligible families with school-age children who are clients of social assistance or assured income.
(The Canadian Press)
