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.

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Gathering as a community of neighbours and friends just got easier with the City of Saint John Community Block Party Trailer. 

The Community Block Party Trailer was created for the entire community to share and is available for Saint John residents to reserve and use to host neighbourhood events. It encourages social engagement, recreation and community pride.

The trailer comes fully equipped with everything needed to host the ultimate block party including a barbecue, sound system, tables, chairs, coolers, games and more – all conveniently packed and delivered, free of charge.

Reservation requests are approved based on availability and on a first-come, first-served basis with preference given to neighbourhoods that are reserving for the first time. The trailer is only available for one event per day.

Looking for more details? Check out frequently asked questions.

Want to know what's included in the trailer? Check out the amenity list HERE.

Reservation guidelines

Available for reservations May 6, 2024.

When you make a reservation, you become the Event Host. As the Event Host, you are responsible for the trailer and its contents for the duration of your reservation. Once you've submitted your online reservation request, a City of Saint John employee will review it and reach out to you within three business days to discuss your event.

The City of Saint John reserves the right to revoke access and/or cancel an event up to and including the day of the event or at any time during an event.

1. Event Host users are responsible for the safe use of the equipment.
2. Event Hosts are responsible for cleanup after the event. This includes:
   • Disposing of all recyclables and trash.
   • Wiping down tables, chairs, and other equipment.
   • Reloading supplies back into the trailer according to the instructions on the Inventory Checklist.
   • Locking the trailer once the clean up and inventory check have been completed.
3. The Event Host must ensure the trailer is ready for pick up at the designated time. Please ensure the area in front of the trailer and the hitch remain clear.

City of Saint John employees accompany the trailer to all reservations.

Reservation Eligibility

The primary purpose of the trailer is to enhance events that celebrate community and bring residents, neighbours and friends together. It supports Common Council's priority to be a welcoming community with offerings that strengthen neighbourhoods, cultivate community pride and foster inclusion and diversity.

The trailer is not available for commercial use.

The trailer is not available for private functions (ie weddings, birthdays, staff parties, house parties, etc.)

The trailer is not intended to support causes, campaigns or special interest initiatives. This includes, but is not limited to, the following activities:

Fundraising events

Awareness events

Political events

Worship events

In other words, the Community Block Party Trailer events must benefit the community residents, not the event host.

Community groups may only reserve the trailer once a year.

There is a 4 hour maximum booking time allowed between the hours of (9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Reservations must take place within the City of Saint John limits.

Reservation details

1. Complete the Community Block Party Trailer Reservation Request form online. The reservation process begins once the request is submitted.
2. Reservation requests are approved based on availability and on a first-come, first-served basis with preference given to neighbourhoods that are reserving for the first time.
3. Applicants will be notified once the reservation request is approved or denied. A reservation is not confirmed until staff have responded with a confirmation.