Eight Catalysts for Greater Prosperity

Saint John Common Council is committed to working across governments and sectors to unlock the City and region’s growth potential. To do this, Council has identified eight high-impact priorities that will spur growth by addressing critical infrastructure and building stronger partnerships.

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Why?

Growth won’t just happen on its own. To be successful we must focus our resources on priorities that align with our growth strategies and will have the greatest potential impact. The priorities also help focus the support of our partners in the federal and provincial governments. We are seeking strategic investments that will help deliver the most benefit.

Four Catalytic Infrastructure Projects

01 Innovative Central Peninsula Learning Commons

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This new urban school will also be a community hub to support and revitalize the south-central peninsula neighbourhood. The project has been underway since 2019 with significant community involvement. The Government of New Brunswick is the lead on the project and is selecting a site. We are eager to advance to the design and construction stages of the project.

02 Redevelopment of Fundy Quay

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Site preparation has begun for this mixed-used project that will transform Saint John’s urban waterfront and boost tourism. Two thirds of the $27.4 million project, or about $18.4 million, has been funded by the federal and provincial governments, with the remainder funded by the City of Saint John. Continued advocacy and investment by all levels of government is crucial to securing full build out of the project over the next 10 years and unlocking further investments.

03 New Comprehensive Recreational Facility

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A large multi-purpose facility has been prioritized to replace aging arenas (some that are close to 50 years old) and provide modern, functional space for other sports, recreation, and the arts. A more modern facility will not only improve community wellness and service offerings, but it will also boost the attractiveness of our region.

04 Investment in Industrial Parks

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The City is looking to expand lands and investment in its industrial parks to fuel economic growth by attracting new businesses and skilled workers. More lands and investment are needed to ensure the City is positioned to capitalize on emerging growth opportunities in sectors such as green energy, advanced manufacturing and transportation and logistics. These investments will enable these sectors to operate efficiently without adversely impacting the quality of life in residential neighbourhoods.

Four Catalytic Advocacy Efforts

01 Comprehensive Tax Reform

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Saint John has long called on the Province for comprehensive tax reform to ensure more local tax dollars stay in the City to help maintain strong and sustainable municipal services. Currently, the Province collects significant property tax for its own purposes that is disproportionately high when compared to other provinces. In alignment with the Province’s Sustaining Saint John Plan, the time for modernizing our outdated tax system is now.

02 Matching Dollars for Bilateral Funding

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Currently, more than $36 million in green infrastructure funding is available from the federal government. The City is calling on the Province to unlock these federal funds by providing the required provincial matching funds. These dollars would help make critical investments in climate change-related infrastructure, further enable the creation of a green economy, and support the City’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2040.

03 Affordable Housing

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About one third of Saint John residents struggle to pay for housing. Affordable housing is important to our residents and key to our community’s success. Our collective ability to provide access to safe, affordable housing will enable us to achieve growth and improve the sense of belonging for those who call Saint John home. The City is looking for federal and provincial support as it embarks on creating and delivering on its Affordable Housing Action Plan.

04 Post-Secondary Education

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The City aims to work with post-secondary institutions, other levels of government and the business community to expand programs at UNB Saint John and NBCC to spark growth and innovation across our region. Strong and vibrant educational opportunities are critical to growth, attracting and retaining our youth, and developing a talent and leadership pipeline.

Saint John Story Series is a place to profile and highlight City of Saint John staff, service areas, and the positive impacts of City led initiatives within our community.

Measure of success: P.R.O. Kids marks 20 years and over 20,000 children helped

P.R.O. Kids is marking a major milestone this month as they celebrate 20 years of helping children in greater Saint John.

Since it was first formed, the charitable program, operated by the City of Saint John and led by a dedicated group of 14 volunteer advisory members, has helped more than 20,000 children access sports, recreation, arts and cultural activities.

“A lot of our families are from single-income households and many are newcomers. These are people who may have a more restrictive budget and, unfortunately, just don’t have the means to pay for the fees associated with these activities,” says P.R.O. Kids program manager Lori Lambert

“Our program takes care of that,” adds Lambert. “ Children who have financial barriers that prevent them from attending activities – whether that be hockey, basketball, music lessons, or art lessons – can have the opportunity to play, attend, participate and belong in the same way that other children do.”

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P.R.O. Kids will be celebrating its achievements this week at its upcoming annual FUNraising dinner, an event that was put on hold for the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, the group is looking to raise approximately $30,000 through the dinner, with 100 per cent of the funds going directly to help support children in the community.

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“We’ve got some great sponsors that have come on board from the very beginning including U.C.T. Jack Kidd Council 755 and Emera New Brunswick,” says Lambert. “We’re fortunate and we feel very confident that we’re going to exceed our goal and have a great event that will close off a great year for P.R.O. Kids.”

Two community champions who embody the values and mission of P.R.O. Kids will be honoured during this year’s dinner, and they are Chris Green of Top Corner Hockey, and members of the Dickie Crossman Memorial Foundation Committee.

The FUNraising dinner will take place on Thursday, November 17 at the Delta Brunswick Hotel.

Tickets are still available for the event and can be purchased online HERE.

Anyone who cannot attend the event but would like to donate can click HERE.

For those who would like to learn more about criteria and the application process for P.R.O. Kids, click HERE.

Administrative costs for P.R.O. Kids is funded by the City of Saint John, Town of Rothesay, Town of Quispamsis, and the Town of Grand Bay-Westfield. One hundred per cent of funds raised through events, donations, sponsorships and grants go directly to supporting children and youth throughout greater Saint John.

Give The Gift of P.R.O. Kids Holiday Campaign

What is the Give the Gift of P.R.O. Kids Campaign?

• Give the Gift of P.R.O Kids is our annual holiday social media fundraiser. This year it runs from Nov 17 - Dec 31st.

What Is Our Campaign Goal?

• This year our goal is to raise enough funds to support 100 ADDITIONAL youth in fulfilling their dreams of joining a recreational program. A value of over $25,000!

Where Will My Gift Go?

• 100% of gifts are put right back into the community, covering registration cost of sports, arts, culture, and recreational programs for youth 2-18 years old.

How Can I Help?

• Gifts can purchased HERE. Keep an eye out on social media for other pop up locations to donate throughout the campaign!

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As a charitable program, P.R.O. Kids depends on the generosity of businesses, organizations, committees and citizens across Greater Saint John. You can help! 

• Host a fundraiser! Thinking of hosting a community event or tournament to benefit P.R.O. Kids? Contact us today! 

• Let us know how we might be able to assist with your fundraiser. 

  • Access PRO Kids branding tools (Logo, etc.). 

  • Request to have a PRO Kids staff or Advisory Committee member in attendance 

  • Access a network of volunteers committed to the cause 

• Support a fundraiser! Follow us on social media for updates on upcoming events and how you can participate. 

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Since 1985, the Centre Communautaire Samuel-de-Champlain has been the essential site for services offered in French in the Saint John region. Located in Millidgeville, this community centre is managed by the Association Régionale de la Communauté francophone (ARCf) de Saint-Jean. 

Services: 

• La Croisée Help Centre: reception, wellness, early childhood, community development, support for newcomers and seniors and much more.
• Samuel-de-Champlain early learning centre 
• Le Cormoran public Library 
• Sociocultural program 
• Health and wellness advice 
• Space rental: meeting rooms, theatre, classrooms (details in the amenities tab) 
• Famille et petite enfance francophone Sud (family support) 
• Médisanté medical clinic 

Amenities and available space rentals: 

• Louis Vermeersch Theatre 
• Multifunctional space (meeting room, classroom) 
• Organization room (meeting room, meetings) 
• Salon Irène Grant-Guérette (visual art exhibition room, meeting room, meetings) 
• Foyer Anne Church (open space for meetings) 
• Classroom in the evening 
• Cafeteria 
• Professional kitchen 
• Gymnasium 
• Palestra or mini gymnasium 

2023 Civic Recognition Awards Recipients

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These annual awards recognize outstanding contributions and achievements of residents, groups, organizations, or businesses that made a significant impact in 2023 and whose exemplary actions, volunteer efforts, achievements or contributions have made Saint John a better place to live.

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR 

Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception

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The Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception were founded in the City of Saint John on October 21, 1854. They ministered among Irish immigrants, providing education, health care and social services. Today, they also focus on social and ecological justice and peace, including a commitment to Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Cooke Aquaculture Inc.

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Cooke’s mission is ‘To cultivate the ocean with care, nourish the world, provide for our families, and build stronger communities’. Established in 1985 by the Cooke family in Blacks Harbour, the company has grown from one farm site to the largest private family-owned seafood company in the world employing more than 13,000 people worldwide, and operating global aquaculture and wild fishery divisions in 15 countries providing a sustainable global seafood source.

MAYOR’S CERTIFICATE 

Trevor Holder

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In appreciation of Trevor’s 25 years of dedicated service as a Member of the Legislative Assembly. He was first elected as the MLA for Saint John Portland in 1999. During his time as an MLA, Mr. Holder has held many portfolios, including Minister of Environment and Local Government, Minister of Tourism and Parks, Minister of Wellness, Culture and Sport, and Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture, and most recently the Minister for Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour. He has also served as Deputy Speaker.

COUNCIL COMMENDATION

Julie Dingwell

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Julie has been the Executive Director of Avenue B Harm Reduction since 1999. She is a long-time advocate around poverty, addiction and environmental issues in Southern NB. Her initiatives, include needle exchange programs and methadone treatment funding, as well as coordinating a partnership with a small community in Eswatini, to send children to school. She has a collaborative approach that bridges sectors and fosters alliances.

Amy Enman

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Amy advocates for youth housing and care, focusing on harm reduction, trauma-informed approaches, and the continuum model of care. As the Centre for Youth Care case manager, she addresses service gaps by creating new housing options for youth ages 19-25. She also supports informal shelters for those facing housing insecurity in Saint John and volunteers weekly with Street Team SJ.

Johanne and Ivan McCullough

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In 2022, Johanne and Ivan began providing home-cooked meals to nearby encampments. Their efforts quickly grew into a movement as others joined in. Today, StreetTeamSJ delivers hot meals six nights a week and provides essential supplies to the unhoused population. They inspire others to make a tangible difference, proving ordinary people can create extraordinary change.

Melanie Vautour

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Melanie is the Executive Director of Fresh Start Services. A passionate advocate for social justice, she has worked in women’s economic development; street outreach and support services, as well as developing and implementing housing support programs for women.

Wesley Williams - Maestro Fresh Wes

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Wes Williams “Maestro Fresh Wes” is a Canadian rapper, producer, actor, author and motivational speaker. He was the first hip-hop artist inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and is one of 2024‘s five laureates of the Governor General‘s Performing Arts Awards. Wes and his family moved to Saint John in 2020, making a significant impact on the city through volunteer work, hosting the radio show "Maestro in the Maritimes," and CBC's "Race Against the Tide." Wes has announced an NBCC scholarship for Black youth in skilled trades, aiming for a positive intergenerational impact.