What is the Central Peninsula Secondary Plan?

The Plan contains a set of policies and actions that will to guide growth and improve the Uptown, South End, and Waterloo Village neighbourhoods and key corridors such as Union Street and Crown Street over the next 30 years. The Central Peninsula Secondary Plan was developed with the tremendous support of the community and Neighbourhood Action team over a period of two years.

In January 2020, the Plan was adopted by Common Council in conjunction with amendments to the Municipal Plan, Zoning By-law, and Heritage Conservation Areas By-law.

The City of Saint John has a large collection of visual art and heritage pieces that have been purchased or donated to the City. This work can be seen within City Hall, as well as various locations throughout the City, including the Saint John Arts Centre, Market Square, and the Saint John Free Public Library. 

The art collection includes work by celebrated artists from Saint John including Miller Brittain, Fred Ross, Herzl Kashetsky, and many more. 

The City of Saint John currently has a Call for Arts:

• 2024 Art Bank Program: Deadline to apply December 19th 2024

Please refer to Related Documents on this page for full details.

The Saint John Emergency Management Organization (SJ-EMO) is a certified ICS instructor on behalf of New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization. SJ-EMO works closely with industry stakeholders and partners to exercise response plans and will be using the Saint John Fire Department’s ADMS simulator for state of the art emergency response simulation practice in the near future.

Notice of upcoming courses offered in Saint John by SJ-EMO will be posted here.

The City of Saint John recognizes the importance of public participation in the decisions that impact our community. There are a number of ways citizens can be involved in municipal government, such as completing City surveys and attending public meetings. 

Citizens may also apply to serve on a board or committee. The City of Saint John has over thirty agencies, boards, commissions and committees, often referred to as ABC’s, that oversee municipal entities, initiatives or services and provide guidance and recommendations to support the decisions of Common Council.

Each year, the City of Saint John proudly supports local organizations, businesses and property owners through its Municipal Grants Program. The Municipal Grants Program supports the City of Saint John in its ongoing pursuit to be a community of choice and promote economic health to residents and visitors. These grants are intended to strengthen our city and its residents by supporting community services, recreation, wellness, culture, art, events, environment, heritage and beautification.

Applicants must read the eligibility criteria and application guidelines before applying for a municipal grant. Applications open in December upon approval of Saint John Common Council.

Grants available for non-profit organizations

Community Grant
Supports healthy, active and inclusive communities through the delivery of social, cultural and recreational activities. Grants are available for organizational support; community projects; and special events. 

Community Arts Grant
Provides project support for non-profit organizations or groups wishing to offer quality arts activities in any discipline of the creative arts within the City of Saint John. 

Land for Public Purpose Grant 
Financial support is available to community groups within the City of Saint John whose project aims to develop a public space for the recreational enjoyment and use of citizens. 

Grants available for individuals, property owners and businesses

Beautification Grant Program
The purpose of the Beautification Grant is to invest in the facades of homes and landscaping front yards, as an effort to help beautify streets and neighbourhoods in the Old North End and Douglas Avenue. Eligible properties must be outside the Heritage District. Eligible investments include: siding, painting, entryways, architectural detailing, windows and landscaping. 

Heritage Grants
The Heritage Grant Program is an incentive program designed to encourage property owners to preserve designated heritage buildings and their character-defining elements.  

Community grants are available to non-profit organizations in the City of Saint John to support inclusive quality of life services and initiatives that align with Saint John Common Council priorities, vision and goals. 

Since 2015, the Community Grants Program has granted over $1 Million to local organizations whose services foster community engagement, promote healthy, active and inclusive communities, support diversity and accessibility, and deliver activities to meet the social, cultural and recreational needs of residents.

The grant envelope is determined within the City of Saint John annual General Fund Operating Budget. A call for applications follows the approval of the budget by Common Council, which generally takes place by mid-December.

Operational Funding

Purpose & Objectives
The Operational Funding Grant assists with the general administrative expenses of an organization

• Supports the City of Saint John in its ongoing pursuit to be a community of choice for all and promote economic health to residents and visitors.
• Enhances the ability of organizations that deliver important social, wellness and quality of life support to all residents of the City of Saint John.
• Encourages innovation, sustainability and cooperation through the various organizations within the City of Saint John.
• Upholds and advances the terms of Council Priorities, PlanSJ and/or PlaySJ.

Eligibility
Eligible funding activities under Organizational Support includes: rent, utilities, human resources, office supplies, essential travel, fundraising activities and information technology upgrades.
The following are ineligible for grant funds:

• Individuals or corporations seeking funding.
• Lobbying of federal, provincial and municipal governments.
• Activities or initiatives outside of the City of Saint John.
• Expenditures that occurred prior to the application.
• Funding of deficits or debts.
• Free or discounted tickets to an event.
• Fellowships, scholarships or bursaries.

The Community Grants Evaluation Committee will assess applications according to a pre-established evaluation matrix, which will score the application on a variety of variables, including, but not limited to:

• Innovation.
• Likelihood of accomplishing stated outcomes.
• Link to Council Priorities.
• Long-term benefits/impacts.
• Level of community support.
• Ability to generate cooperation between citizens and other organizations.
• Ability to acquire other sources of funding/in-kind support.
• Sustainability of business plan or development plan.

Community Project

Purpose & Objectives
The Community Project Grant is designed to distribute seed funding for the start-up of projects, and/or funds for a short-term undertaking with a clear start and completion date.

• Support the City of Saint John in its ongoing pursuit to be a community of choice for residents and visitors.
• Enhance the ability of organizations that deliver important social, wellness and quality of life support to the residents of the City of Saint John.
• Encourage innovation, sustainability and cooperation in the delivery of Community Projects in the City of Saint John.
• Uphold and advance the terms of Council Priorities, Plan SJ and/or Play SJ.

Eligibility
The following are ineligible for grant funds:

• Individuals or corporations seeking funding.
• Lobbying of federal, provincial and municipal governments.
• Activities or initiatives outside of the City of Saint John.
• Expenditures that occurred prior to the application.
• Funding of deficits or debts.
• Free or discounted tickets to an event.
• Fundraising events.
• Fellowships, scholarships or bursaries.
• Conferences or professional development.

Application Requirements & Evaluation

• Applications must demonstrate:
• Fundraising and community partnership.
• The number of residents/visitors impacted by the project.
• How the Community Project responds to interest from the broader community.
• Specific outcomes to be achieved.
• Projected budget including sources and use of funds/in-kind support.
• Timelines for implementation of the project.

The Community Grants Evaluation Committee will assess applications according to a pre-established evaluation matrix, which will score the application on a variety of variables, including, but not limited to:

• Innovation.
• Likelihood of accomplishing stated outcomes.
• Link to Council Priorities.
• Long-term benefits/impacts.
• Level of community support.
• Ability to generate cooperation between citizens and other organizations.
• Ability to acquire other sources of funding/in-kind support.
• Sustainability of business plan or development plan.

Special Event

Purpose & Objectives
The Special Events Grant is designed to support events that are of cultural, sport, social or recreational significance to the Saint John community.

• Support the City of Saint John in its ongoing pursuit to be a community of choice for residents and visitors.
• To support events that result in important cultural, environmental, heritage, sport, recreational, educational and financial returns for the City of Saint John.
• To encourage innovation, sustainability and cooperation in the delivery of Special Events in the City of Saint John.
• Uphold and advance the terms of Council Priorities, Plan SJ and/or Play SJ.

Eligibility
The following are ineligible for grant funds:

• Individuals or corporations seeking funding.
• Lobbying of federal, provincial and municipal governments.
• Activities or initiatives outside of the City of Saint John.
• Expenditures that occurred prior to the application.
• Funding of deficits or debts.
• Free or discounted tickets to an event.
• Fundraising events.
• Fellowships, scholarships or bursaries.
• Conferences or professional development.

Application Requirements & Evaluation

• Applications must demonstrate:
• Event identifies a community need or priority
• The number of residents/visitors impacted by the event.
• Event supported by community partners, sponsors and stakeholders.
• Specific outcomes to be achieved.
• Projected budget including sources and use of funds/in-kind support.

The Community Grants Evaluation Committee will assess applications according to a pre-established evaluation matrix, which will score the application on a variety of variables, including, but not limited to:

• Innovation.
• Likelihood of accomplishing stated outcomes.
• Link to Council Priorities.
• Long-term benefits/impacts.
• Level of community support.
• Ability to generate cooperation between citizens and other organizations.
• Ability to acquire other sources of funding/in-kind support.
• Sustainability of business plan or development plan (for repeated/annual event)
   

Purpose & Objectives

The Community Arts Funding Program is administered by the Saint John Community Arts Board on behalf of the City of Saint John. The Program provides financial support in two categories:

• Project/Activity Funding - Arts-related projects, activities, events or initiatives (including a series of activities or events) that are primarily participatory, actively engage the public, are educational in nature, or that develop the arts in the community
• Arts Festival Funding – Preparation and presentation of one-day or multi- day arts festivals, major arts events, or arts celebrations.

Program grants will normally range between $500 and $3,500 (or between 10% and 40% of the total project/festival budget).

Eligibility

Any non-profit organization whose primary purpose is the presentation, promotion, or education of the visual, performing, literary, media, or material arts in Saint John, and that wishes to undertake arts-related projects or activities of benefit to the community, is eligible to apply. An organization that has previously received Program funding and that has not complied with funding requirements (e.g.: failed to submit a post-event report to the Board) will be deemed ineligible.

The following are examples of applicants and/or projects/activities that are ineligible for funding:

• Building or equipment purchase, lease, renovation or repair;
• Funding that is primarily for the benefit of an individual;
• For-profit organizations;
• Organizations that fund other projects/festivals;
• Retroactive funding (without prior approval of the Board);
• Deficits or debts;
• Free or discounted tickets;
• Fundraising events;
• Fellowships, scholarships, or bursaries;
• Contributions to an endowment fund;
• Conferences or professional development; and
• Non-specific operating expenses.

Application Requirements & Evaluation

During evaluation of applications, preference will be given to organizations that are based in Saint John and to projects and/or activities:

• that are consistent with the objectives of the City’s Arts and Culture Policy;
• that are consistent with the priorities of Saint John City Council;
• with significant community involvement;
• that have not received other material funding from the City of Saint John and have not received funding under this Program within the last 12 months;
• that have also sought and/or obtained other sources of funding (e.g. matching funds); and
• that will benefit the creative arts, the arts community and the community at large.

The applicant must also demonstrate organizational capacity and good management practices, including programming, finances, and human resources. Other practices will also be taken into account - such as: event attendance; audience development; community and business support; cultural diversity; funding; human resources; partnerships; public accessibility; and strategic planning.

For over 25 years the City of Saint John has been a leader in implementing best practices in energy efficiency.

Financial support from the City's Land for Public Purpose Trust Fund is available to community groups within the City of Saint John whose new project aims to develop a public space for the recreational enjoyment and use of citizens.

The maximum eligible funding from the LPP Trust Fund will be based on the project/park classification, and will be limited to:

• local: up to $7,500 per project;
• community: up to $20,000 per project per year;
• City or regional: up to $50,000* per project per year.

(*Please review the policy for additional information.)

Grants are eligible for up to 50% of the project cost up to the maximum amount of each category. 

Applications (see related documents) for financial support are received annually and must be submitted by March 4, 2024.

Once complete, please forward applications to:  grants@saintjohn.ca 

Visit the Open Data Platform to view a map displaying all land conveyed to the City for public purposes. The City will consider, on a case by case basis, projects to be developed on provincial, federal or private land.

The Saint John Sports Hall of Fame has honoured local athletes, coaches, officials, teams and sport builders since 1987. 

Showcased in TD Station, the Hall of Fame spans decades of achievements in a broad spectrum of sports and stands as a tribute to Greater Saint John’s sports legacy.

The Saint John Community Arts Board supports the development and growth of arts and culture within the City. Reporting to Common Council, the board is responsible for formulating and recommending policy in regards to investment in the arts. They provide advisory support to the arts and culture sector and encourage community awareness and appreciation of artistic and cultural activities.

More information about the Saint John Community Arts Board