Housing is the cornerstone of healthy neighbourhoods and individual well-being. Through its Affordable Housing Action Plan, the City of Saint John is being proactive to address the affordable housing crunch to ensure a strong, vibrant and growing community. The City has developed a comprehensive and targeted five-year plan to foster better housing outcomes for the community. 

Like communities across North America, Saint John needs to address challenges around affordable housing. 

Although housing is not a legislative responsibility of the municipality, Council has recognized that the City must take action to help foster a more affordable housing environment.  

With input of community stakeholders and the public, the plan leaves no rock unturned. It identifies nearly 40 proposed actions, including:  

• Improve coordination across governments and sectors.

• Explore incentives for non-market housing initiatives.

• Make sure existing policies and by-laws support housing needs.

• Investigate long term solutions to deliver housing more efficiently through community partners and the municipality.

The Saint John Affordable Housing Action Plan was adopted by Common Council in October 2022.  

Development of the Plan 

Development of the action plan was a two-year collaborative project between non-profit affordable housing partners, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the Government of New Brunswick, and the City of Saint John. The plan identifies the actions needed to guide the community’s response to maintain and create safe, suitable, and affordable housing options for all Saint John’s residents. 

The Affordable Housing Action Plan was based on a housing needs assessment conducted by SHS Consulting. The plan will address any gaps in the Saint John housing continuum related to supply and affordability. The strategic directions, policies, and actions in the implementation framework are expected to focus on the transitional and supportive housing, non-market rental housing, and low-end market rental components of the housing continuum, targeted to the priority groups in need. 

For many of us, our dogs are part of the family. And as family members, it’s important that our dogs are healthy and properly cared for. It’s also important that our dog owners are respectful citizens who ensure that their dog doesn’t disturb others in the community. Saint John’s Dog Control By-law regulates how our City’s dogs are handled in relation to other residents.

The Dog Control By-law is enforced by the Saint John SPCA Animal Rescue. Call SPCA Animal Rescue to lodge a complaint or concern and to report a dog bite.  The Police Force can also be called in the event of a dog bite.

Saint John’s Dog Control By-law requires that dog owners:

• License their dog. You can buy a license at SPCA Animal Rescue, City Hall and various other outlets, such as Animal Hospitals and Pet Shops for $25 (dogs that are not spayed or neutered), or $10 (dogs that are spayed or neutered). To get a license, you must supply contact information, specifics of the dog, and proof of vaccination for distemper and rabies.
• Clean up after their dog on property other than where the dog lives.
• Control barking that might disturb the neighbourhood.
• Ensure their dog is always leashed when off its property. 
• Ensure their dog does not bite or attempt to bite a person.

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FLEX East map and stops

FLEX provides additional transit service in the East on-demand zone.

The East FLEX zone is east of McAllisterDrive, west of Lakeview Drive, north of Loch Lomond Road and south of Westmorland Road.  Riders can travel between stops in the East FLEX zone or transfer to other lines at McAllister Mall.

FLEX service does not operate on a fixed route or schedule. It operates stop to stop within the zone.

Service is available Monday to Friday from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm. Saturday service is available from 10 am to 6 pm. Unique stops will be added into the FLEX service zone. FLEX East will not replace fixed route service in the area.

Riders use an app on their phone or call a dispatcher at 506 652-3539 (FLEX) to schedule a ride. The app or the dispatcher will let the rider know when to meet the bus at the stop, depending on preference.

Riders are able to request the quickest available bus, book a ride for later, or request the time to arrive at their destination within the zone.

Riders can travel from stop to stop within the zone, or transfer to other routes at McAllister Mall.

The service goal is to have the bus arrive at the requested stop within half an hour of the request.

Service hours

Monday to Friday 8:30 am until 4:00 pm
Saturday from 7:30 am until 6:00 pm
 

Visit the AppStore or Google Play to download onto your smartphone

You can also call 506 652 3539 (FLEX) to set up an account and book your rides via telephone.

Telephone booking hours

Monday to Friday 6:30 am until 5 pm
Saturday from 7:30 am until 5 pm

Stops

Area residents will notice new signage in the area. 

More about FLEX service is here.
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In 2023, service enhancements will roll out across the system. Find out more about the Transforming Transit project here.

Sign up for Transit news and notifications here.

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The area on the map (roughly bound by Golden Mile, Fairville Blvd, Gault Road, Dominion Park and Main Street West) is serviced by FLEX West service.

Limited service at is available at five stops on Sand Cove Road, west of Bleury Street. Service is available Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 3:50 pm.  There is no Saturday service.

Interactive map with West Flex zone stops 

FLEX service does not operate on a fixed route or schedule. It operates stop to stop within the zone. Riders use an app on their phone or call a dispatcher at to schedule a ride. The app or the dispatcher will let the rider know when to meet the bus at the stop, depending on preference.

Riders are able to request the quickest available bus, book a ride for later, or request the time to arrive at their destination within the zone.

Riders can travel from stop to stop within the zone, or transfer at common stops on Routes 1, 15 or 12.

Service hours

Monday to Friday 6:30 am until 6:30 pm
Saturday from 7:30 am until 6 pm

Service on Sand Cove Road (west of Bleury Street)
Monday to Friday 8:30 am until 3:50 pm
There is no service on Saturday.

The service goal is to have the bus arrive at the requested stop within half an hour of the request.

Visit the AppStore or Google Play to download onto your smartphone

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You can also call 506 652 3539 to set up an account and book your rides via telephone.

Telephone booking hours

Monday to Friday 6:30 am to 5 pm
Saturday 7:30 am to 5 pm

Stops

Area residents will notice new signage in the area. They will also notice that there will stop removals. Stops are being removed mainly where there are duplicate stops.

More about FLEX service is available here.

Fixed route service changes west

In 2023, service enhancements will roll out across the system. Find out more about the Transforming Transit project here.

Sign up for Transit news and notifications here.

Saint John Water ensures the reliable and economical delivery of safe, clean drinking water to about 17,000 customers in Saint John. This includes managing the supply of water, water quality testing, water treatment, transmission and distribution, and billing. Our water meets the high level of quality required by Health Canada and the New Brunswick Departments of Health and Environment and Local Government. And we’re proud of the recognition we’ve received—including awards from the Atlantic Canada Water & Wastewater Association. We are regulated by the Clean Environment and Clean Water Acts. 

Clean water begins at the source 

The most economical way to maintain uncontaminated water is to keep the water clean to begin with. It’s why we operate by the "multi-barrier approach”, which reduces or prevents contaminants from entering the water system at every step in the process. We protect the watershed and aquifers by limiting activities in protected areas.   

Our Water Sources

South Bay Wellfield

Three large wells at this site collect water from aquifers deep below the ground's surface. It’s then pumped to the South Bay Treatment Facility where it's treated and sent through the distribution system to over 3,000 customers on the west side of the city. South Bay Wellfield began distribution in September 2017. 

Loch Lomond Drinking Water Treatment Facility

This state-of-the-art facility is supplied from the Loch Lomond and Latimer Lake watersheds. It has the capacity to produce 75 million litres of clean drinking water per day, and the three on-site storage reservoirs have a capacity of 33 million litres. This facility serves over 13,000 customers in the east, north, south, and select areas of the west side of the city. Distribution began in August 2018. See our FAQ for more information on water from this facility.

Harbourview Well System

Saint John Water owns, operates, and maintains two well houses in the Red Head Area in East Saint  John. This groundwater system supplies chlorinated well water to about  450  residences in the Harbourview subdivision.

Water quality testing 

The health and safety of the public are Saint John Water’s primary goal and that’s why we test for more parameters and on a more frequent basis than is required by law.  We sample water right from the raw source water, through the treatment process, and at various locations throughout the distribution system. More water quality data can be found in our Drinking Water Annual Reports and the Water Quality Reports. 

Water treatment

Depending on the source, Saint John Water uses different treatment techniques. Groundwater aquifers are a great clean source of potable water, as mother nature has done all the treatment required. However, since these aquifers transmit water via a pipe network, sodium hypochlorite is used as a means of disinfection. Orthophosphate is also being used in the South Bay Wellfield treatment system to manage corrosion within the distribution system.

Water sourced from the Loch Lomond Watershed is pretreated at Latimer Lake Pretreatment facility followed by full modern water treatment including coagulation and flocculation, dissolved air flotation, filtration, and disinfection. Orthophosphate is also used to manage corrosion within the distribution system.

Billing and collections

About 80% of our customers pay a flat rate for their water and sewerage services. Council sets the rates in order to recover both the operating and capital costs of the utility. For more information, see Water Service Rates.

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.

What if you could do something good for your community and your planet just by choosing to do something good for yourself? Seems like a trick question! But when you choose active transportation, that's exactly what you’re doing. You benefit. Your city benefits. And so do future generations.  

Active transportation is when you use your own power to get from one place to another. Walking, biking, skateboarding, in-line skating/rollerblading, jogging, running, non-mechanized wheel chairing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing—it’s any transportation that runs on you for fuel.

Active transportation is good for you because it gets you moving on a regular basis. You improve your fitness, which improves your overall health—including mental health. It’s also a pretty affordable way to get around, especially compared to driving, since there’s no gas or parking to buy. It’s good for your city because it reduces road congestion. Plus, everyone who chooses active transportation makes it more visible, which makes it an easier choice for others too. It’s good for the planet because active transportation reduces greenhouse gas emissions. 

What do you need in order to choose active transportation? Not a lot. You might need a little gear. You need some initiative. And, you need a city that supports your decision—a community that builds and maintains the necessary infrastructure that makes active transportation safe, accessible, and easy.

Active transportation in Saint John

Saint John is working hard to build, maintain, and improve infrastructure that encourages more residents to choose active transportation options. All Saint John Transit buses are equipped with front-end bike racks, and there are conveniently-located bike racks throughout the Uptown core—you can usually park your bike right outside of where you want to be. There are 373 km of sidewalks throughout the City, plus Harbour Passage—a 4.7 km trail that rings the Saint John Harbour—is an important pedestrian link to connect the City’s North end with the Uptown. 

There are two extensive bike routes in the City. The Campus Harbour Connection is a north-south route connecting Harbour Passage to the Hospital/University area. The Saint John portion of Trans Canada Trail (now the Great Trail) is an east-west route that stretches from Grand-Bay Westfield to Rothesay. 

Most importantly, the City is building active transportation into all of its major planning initiatives.

The future of active transportation in Saint John

Three initiatives that promise to make active transportation an easier and safer choice for Saint Johners are called PlanSJ, MoveSJ, and the Central Peninsula Plan. 

PlanSJ, the City’s Municipal Plan, aims to grow the City smarter by reinvesting in the Saint John’s urban core neighbourhoods, promoting denser, more complete suburban communities, and protecting our traditional rural character and landscape. This includes promoting greater choices for moving around the City and progressive environmental policies.  

MoveSJ, Saint John’s transportation strategy, addresses the City's need to create a balanced transportation network, and to make public transit and active transportation more viable and desirable options. The purpose of MoveSJ is to plan for active, shared modes (cycling, walking) of transportation integrated with the City’s existing street and highway networks.

The Central Peninsula Secondary Plan provides direction for new development and reinvestment in the City’s Central Peninsula. It is intended to implement Plan SJ within the Uptown neighbourhoods and align with and respond to the City’s recreation, transportation, economic, and population growth strategies.