(NB-Sexual-Orientation-CCLA)
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association says its legal challenge against the New Brunswick government related to policy changes for transgender students is being dropped.
The rights group was trying to overturn the previous government’s requirement that students under 16 receive parental consent before teachers could use their preferred first names and pronouns.
The policy was changed after the Liberals won the October provincial election.
The Civil Liberties Association says the legal challenge was discontinued because the government has provided a “safer, more affirming and inclusive” environment for New Brunswick students.
(The Canadian Press)
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(NB-State-Of-The-Province)
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt is scheduled to deliver the 51st state-of-the-province address today.
The event — sponsored by the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce — will be held at the city’s Convention Centre.
Holt led the Liberal party to win a majority government on October 21st.
(The Canadian Press)
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(NB-Dog-Park-Illness)
The City of Edmundston, New Brunswick has forced the closure of all dog parks within the city as an unknown illness spreads among residents’ dogs.
The city says there are several dogs presenting similar symptoms that have been taken for care at a local clinic, prompting concern about a potentially new and highly contagious virus affecting dogs.
The city is urging all pet owners to avoid bringing their animals to any pet gatherings.
Officials say dogs have been experiencing congestion, nasal discharge and coughing — but a number of dogs are coughing to the point where they almost vomit and have difficulty breathing.
(CBC New Brunswick)
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(NB-Union-Agreement)
New Brunswick says a tentative collective agreement has been reached with the union representing general labour and trades workers.
A news release on Tuesday said the parties came to an agreement after returning to the bargaining table after a deadlock was declared.
The parties have agreed to withhold details of the agreement pending its ratification.
The union represents, among others, mechanics, highway workers, parks workers and Service New Brunswick health supply chain workers in eight provincial government departments.
(The Canadian Press)
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Health-Ministers)
Provincial and territorial health ministers are meeting with their federal counterpart in Halifax this week.
The meeting comes as the New Democrats are urging pharmacare deals to be put to paper.
Federal Health Minister Mark Holland says he hopes to have deals signed by this spring, but so far only British Columbia has signed a memorandum of understanding.
The pharmacare deal was a key part of the supply-and-confidence deal that saw the N-D-P prop up the Trudeau government from 2022 until last fall.
(The Canadian Press)
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(NS-Natural-Assets-Guide)
A climate change think tank has published a new guide that encourages municipalities to assign specific dollar values to natural assets in their jurisdiction, ranging from wetlands to coastal dunes.
The University of Waterloo’s Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation says the “Getting nature into financial reporting” guide will help put values on natural assets and can give municipal planners ammunition for preservation efforts.
Lead author Joanna Eyquem says money talks, and nature does not have a voice in economic decisions when it is not laid out in dollars.
The document draws from consultations with 120 experts in accounting and other fields.
(The Canadian Press)
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(NF-Uninsured-Driver)
The R-C-M-P says three people have been stopped and ticketed between Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor for driving without proper insurance.
The Mounties are urging drivers to ensure they are properly covered when hitting the roads.
Police say the three drivers were ticketed and their vehicles were seized and impounded.
Two of the drivers were caught operating their vehicle without a license, and one had a suspended license.
(The Canadian Press)
