The key to reducing the effect of an emergency on your life is to think about their potential impact and what you can do to reduce it—before an emergency occurs.

In Saint John, the following types of emergencies are possible or even likely. Click each to learn how you can prepare for that specific event.

• Flood
• Strong winds
• Power outage
• Severe storm
• Storm surge
• Wildfire
• Contagious disease
• Hazardous material

Be prepared

Prepare yourself and your family to be self-sufficient for at least three full days (72 hours). 

For your home

• copy of your emergency plan
• water and food
• manual can opener
• wind-up or battery-powered flashlight
• wind-up or battery-powered radio
• extra batteries
• first aid kit
• extra house and car keys
• cash – small bills and change
• special items such as formula, pet food, prescriptions, medication, etc.

For your vehicle

• blanket
• extra seasonal clothes and footwear
• first aid kit and seatbelt cutter
• water and snacks (e.g., energy bars)
• wind-up or battery-powered flashlight
• wind-up or battery-powered radio
• extra batteries
• list of contact numbers
• small shovel, scraper, and brush
• warning lights or road flares
• tow rope and jumper cables
• sand or salt
• whistle

Make a plan

Before starting your home emergency plan, you will need to think about:

• safe exits from your home and neighbourhood
• designated person to pick up your children should you be unavailable
• contact persons close by and out of town
• health information and special health needs
• place for your pet to stay
• location of your fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical box, gas valve, and floor drain

On behalf of the Chief City Engineer, Infrastructure Development administers municipal infrastructure and servicing requirements for sustainable development, and approves engineering drawings, municipal servicing plans, drainage systems, and utility installations.

Responsibilities of Infrastructure Development include:

• Advising on engineering standards necessary for reliable, effective, sustainable municipal infrastructure.
• Approval of the municipal engineering component of building permits, water and sewerage permits, street occupancy permits, and street excavation permits.
• Engineering input on development applications for municipal plan amendments, zoning by-law amendments, section 39 conditions, subdivisions, and various use permits.
• Approval of new utility installations within the City of Saint John.
• Utility locates for municipal infrastructure as part of “Call Before You Dig”.
• Inspection services related to development and maintenance projects.
• Policy development, recommendations, and administration related to municipal infrastructure.
• Liaison with other levels of government, utility companies and others on infrastructure and engineering issues.

Before you begin work

• Permits and approvals must be obtained prior to working within a municipal right-of-way (City limits).
• Infrastructure locates must be obtained prior to any excavation.
• Inspections of municipal services are required prior to backfilling.
• All work within a municipal right-of-way must be in accordance with the City’s General Specifications and/or approved regulatory authorities.
• Directing stormwater to adjacent lands is prohibited.
• Consult the Excavation By-Law for more information.

Climate change poses a significant threat to our quality of life. In recent years, the impacts of climate change have become more and more apparent. As a coastal city, Saint John has been impacted by unpredictable weather, historic flooding, and rising sea levels.

Over the years, the City of Saint John has taken action to address our demands on energy infrastructure, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support sustainability efforts through active transportation, waste reduction, transit, green infrastructure and care of our green spaces.

Working within City operations and the community, the City has become a recognized leader across the country for environmental leadership and community collaboration.

Municipal Energy Efficiency Program (M.E.E.P.)

The City of Saint John has been an early adopter of implementing energy efficiency measures in relation to municipal and water facilities. The City was one of the first, and one of the few, Canadian municipalities in Atlantic Canada to embark on creating a Municipal Energy Efficiency Program (MEEP).

The following are a list of environmental and economic benefits as of 2017:

• Reduced energy cost by over $2.3 Million
• Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions by over 9400 tons of CO2 or 24%
• Reduce Energy consumption by approximately 8.6 Million KWH and
  35,000 GJ of Natural Gas and oil/propane or 30 %
• Received over $22 Million in Grants & Loans
• Implemented over 100 environmental initiatives

M.E.E.P. has been recognized regionally and nationally as best practice.

Every year, the City of Saint John invests in new infrastructure and infrastructure improvements. Work can include such things as asphalt resurfacing, street reconstruction, water and sewer construction, safe drinking water projects, and more. For current, active contraction projects in your area, please search below.

Want to know what capital construction work is happening across the City this year?

Check out the interactive map on this page for all capital projects. The map identifies the type of project, its location, budget* and projected start and end dates

*Budgets listed may include multiple project sites