Today’s feature on Tantramar Report:
The province has appointed the facilitator who will oversee the amalgamation of Sackville, Dorchester and surrounding areas.
Chad Peters is currently CEO of a Moncton-based communications firm, and former manager with Southwestern Energy Resources, the company behind controversial fracking exploration in New Brunswick in the early 2010s.
Peters is also a former staffer in the Progressive Conservative legislative office, and ran for the PCs in a provincial by-election in Moncton East in 2007. He had announced his candidacy for mayor of Moncton in January 2020, but did not run in the 2021 election. Peters had his first meeting with Sackville staff and council this week.
CHMA’s Erica Butler called up Sackville Town Councillor Bill Evans, who has been a vocal opponent of amalgamation, to hear about the first meeting.
Also on Tantramar Report:
Missing woman from St. Mary’s First Nation
Saint Mary’s First Nation has asked for support in locating Erin Maureen Brooks.
The 38-year-old woman was last seen on Dec. 27 at St. Mary’s Smoke Shop in Fredericton, according to the Indigenous community.
She’s described as five-foot-two-inches tall and 115 pounds, with multiple tattoos, including the word “Boo” on the left side of her chest.
In 2018, Brooks shared a post on social media as part of a campaign for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, stating that if she ever went missing, “someone took me against my will or worse. Do not make excuses as to WHY I might not have returned home, because it is a lie. Look for me. Please.”
Anyone with information should contact the Fredericton Police Force or Crime Stoppers.
Province returns to Phase 2 at midnight
The provincial government has announced a loosening of pandemic-related restrictions beginning tonight at 11:59 p.m., two days earlier than expected.
The province previously announced the Level 3 restrictions, which came into effect 14 days ago, would continue until Sunday.
On Thursday, Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province’s chief medical officer of health, said cases and hospitalizations are expected to peak in mid-February at roughly 150 cases. However, she said the seven-day average of new hospitalizations has begun to decline.
The return to Level 2 of the province’s winter COVID-19 plan means businesses such as restaurants, gyms and salons will be able to reopen at 50 per cent capacity and physical distancing.
Under Level 2, households are required to limit their contacts to a maximum of 10 consistent contacts. The province has announced several changes to its Level 2 guidelines, including rules allowing some sports and music to resume.
More details are available on the provincial government’s website.
There are currently 141 people in New Brunswick hospitalized with COVID-19, including eight people receiving intensive care and one person on a ventilator. Public Health also announced three new COVID-related deaths Thursday, bringing New Brunswick’s total to 224.
Rally for ‘Freedom Convoy’ in Aulac
The announcement came as truckers who oppose COVID-19 public health mandates made their way to Ottawa. Footage on social media shows protesters, many of them waving flags, rallying at the Big Stop in Aulac on Thursday morning.n
The association representing truckers in Atlantic Canada has opposed the protest movement.
HEPA filters coming to area schools
Schools are expected to reopen on Monday, following the installation of high-efficiency particulate air filters in 60 schools as part of efforts to reduce the spread of the Omicron variant. Schools where the portable HEPA filters will be installed include Dorchester Consolidated School and Marshview Middle School, according to Stephanie Patterson, a spokesperson for the Anglophone East School District.
Booster clinic
A booster clinic originally slated for people under 30 has been opened up to anyone over 18 who has completed their first two shots of a COVID-19 vaccine at least five months ago.
The clinic will be administering the Pfizer vaccine, which in New Brunswick is normally limited to those under 30. But the Saturday clinic had less uptake than predicted, and so spots are now open for anyone eligible for a booster in New Brunswick.
The clinic is happening Saturday at the Mount Allison University Athletic Centre, and people can register through the Corner Drug Store website at thecornerdrugstore.ca.
