In any modern city, libraries are much more than places to read and check out books. They’re public gathering places, city “living rooms”, egalitarian places where anyone and everyone can meet, and take advantage of the useful services the library offers.
In Saint John, the Carnegie Building became the library’s long-term permanent home from 1904 to 1983, before moving to its current location in Market Square. The Saint John Free Public Library also has two satellite branches. The West Branch, the first mall library in New Brunswick, opened in 1967 and is still at this location. The East Branch is located at the Saint John Transit building on MacDonald Road.
Once the gifts are opened and the parties are over, it’s time for the Christmas tree to move on. To help you, the City will once again be offering its free and convenient annual Christmas tree drop-off program in the new year. Please ensure all decorations have been removed from your tree prior to dropping it off. All sites will be open from January 1 to January 12, 2024.
Site locations:
- Charles Gorman Arena – 80 University Avenue, North
- Crescent Valley – Between 30 and 38 Taylor Avenue, North
- Peter Murray Arena – 711 Dever Road, West
- Forest Hills Ball Field – 651 Westmorland Road, East
- *Old Sugar Refinery – 330 Charlotte Street, South/Central Peninsula
*South/Central Peninsula residents are advised that the specific drop-off site commonly referred to as the “Old Sugar Refinery” is located at the very end of Charlotte Street and Vulcan Street. Trees are not to be deposited at the Bulk Terminal Truck Entrance or any other location on Port Saint John property.
Look for the designated area at each location. Sites will be plowed and maintained for the safety of the public and workers.
If you are unable to drop off your Christmas tree to a designated site, you can:
- Remove all decorations and trim
- Delimb the tree and cut up the trunk and branches into manageable blocks (must be no longer than four feet and must be smaller than the diameter of two inches)
- Place blocks and branches in your compost cart for removal on your regular garbage and compost collection day.
We thank you for your cooperation.
Saint John City Hall is the centre of municipal government for the City of Saint John. It’s home to the Mayor’s office and Council Chambers, and it’s where these City officials meet to discuss City business. It’s also where Saint John residents can access various City services.
You’ll find City Hall near the foot of King Street, at 15 Market Square, in uptown Saint John. Visitors must check in at the first floor reception, which is accessible by the main street entrance, or via the pedway system and a newly installed elevator—which will take you to the public areas of the building.
The first City Hall building in Saint John was a wooden structure, built in 1797 at about the same location as the current City Hall, which was built in 1971. In 2020, the City made significant renovations to the building, and moved City operations to the first four floors, which makes City Hall much more visible and accessible.
The safe movement of people, vehicles, and goods is critical for the day to day operation of any city—in every season. Saint John’s Winter Management Plan makes sure that streets and designated sidewalks remain safe and accessible during the winter months.
City streets are plowed and deiced (either salt or sand) according to a priority system.
Priority 1: Arterial streets, highway connections, emergency routes
Priority 2: Major bus routes, schools, community centres, business districts
Priority 3: Collector streets, minor bus routes, industrial parks
Priority 4: Local or subdivision streets
Priority 6: Rural streets, gravel with poor drainage
Our goal is for priority 1 and 2 streets is to have passable travel lanes within 8 hours after a snowstorm, and have travel lanes pushed back and anti-icing material applied within 48 hours after a storm.
For priorities 3 and 4, our goal is to have passable travel lanes within 12 hours after a snowstorm, and have travel lanes pushed back and anti-icing material applied within 72 or 96 hours after a storm.
Priority 6 streets, our goal is to have passable travel lanes within 8 days following a storm. When particular climatic conditions create rutted and/or ice packed conditions, road will not be passable indefinitely.
You can help! There are about 8300 catch basins across the City, and keeping them clear of debris like leaves, ice, and snow is important. If residents clear the areas around catch basins (and hydrants) near their property, it will help improve drainage from snow melt.
During winter months, a parking ban may be called any time it’s necessary for the safe and efficient removal of snow or ice. During a parking ban, all vehicles must be moved off the streets between midnight and 7:00 a.m. (North, East and West), or between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (South Central Peninsula). Any vehicle impeding snow removal operations will be ticketed and/or towed at the owner’s expense. Motorists must make their own arrangements for off-street parking.
Nestled on the powerful Bay of Fundy, Saint John is a beautiful, historic, and vibrantly urban city—surrounded by breathtaking and rejuvenating nature experiences. You can have it all. Whether you live in or visit Canada’s first incorporated city, you’re sure to be caught up in its gorgeous historic architecture, eclectic shops and restaurants, and rich arts and culture experiences. You’ll also be swept away by its natural attractions.
Opening or growing a business in Saint John.
Nearly 13,000 more people live in Greater Saint John today than lived here in 2011. What accounts for this influx of dynamic people? One undeniable factor is that the City of Saint John is, besides a wonderful place to live, a thriving place to do business. Here, you’ll find—for starters—the head offices of many large multinational corporations; three of the largest IT firms in Atlantic Canada; and an insurance and back office cluster serving North America.
2023 Civic Recognition Awards Recipients
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.