October to December residency application is now OPEN

Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 10th 2024. 

Artist Opportunity

The City of Saint John invites artists and artist-led groups, to submit Expressions of Interest to be selected for the 2024 October-December Artist in Residence Program.

Community engagement remains at the heart of this program, which is open to artists practicing in all mediums including but not limited to:

• visual (painting, sculpture)
• literary (poetry, collective works)
• performance (dance, music, opera, theatre, musical theatre)
• new media (film, television, radio, audio, video, animation, digital)
• multidisciplinary and the intersectionality therein

Artists should note this is not a live-in residency. Permits may be issued for temporary use of public spaces for artistic creation and presentation

Program Goals

• Connect residents to Arts and Culture
• Creatively animate public space(s) indoor or outdoor.
• Provide opportunities for artists to engage with the public to showcase their creative practices.
• Advance equity, diversity, and inclusion in the arts.
• Broaden the community’s experience of the arts.
• Contribute to placemaking and community pride

Roles and Responsibilities

The City of Saint John will:

• recognize the artist is the City’s October-December Artists in Residence
• provide access to municipal facilities and venues (as available);
• coordinate permits for public space(s) (as appropriate);
• promote project information with a webpage on saintjohn.ca (other sites created and managed by the artist may also be utilized in the delivery of the project);
• provide administrative assistance, web services, event coordination, graphic design, and project promotion;
• award a $5,000 (CAD) budget to selected artist which includes artist fees and funding to cover other costs directly related to the project; and
• provide an opportunity for presentation and celebration at the end of the residency.

The City will also provide marketing and promotional collateral at its own expense.

The Selected Artist will:

• commit to engaging community members in creative experiences including but not limited to two public residency engagements;
• deliver the selected project within the program’s timeline and budget;
• promote the project via social media;
• provide regular progress updates to staff;
• be available to speak with the media; and
• attend a debriefing session at the end of the residency period.

Scope of Work

As part of the program, the artist will be expected to undertake a selection of the following residency engagements, to be agreed upon between the City and the Artist:

• artist talk
• workshop class or self-guided, public activity
• virtual or physical exhibition/display of completed work

The successful project for this community-based arts initiative should engage residents and visitors to Saint John and promote an appreciation of Arts and Culture.

Expressions of Interest should outline the project concept and indicate how the artist will engage with the community.

While the artist’s process is as important as the resulting artistic products, projects should produce an outcome such as, but not limited to, a temporary installation, performance, recording, creative collaboration, exhibition, or community experience that can be shared and celebrated with the public.

Eligibility requirements

This opportunity is open to all artists residing within the City of Saint John. Artists should have proven experience engaging the public and working collaboratively with community members or other artists. They must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada and be 18 years of age or older to qualify for this opportunity.

Previous City of Saint John Artists-in-Residence and City of Saint John employees are not eligible to apply.

Fundraising activities are not eligible.

A strong web/social media presence/following is considered an asset.

Eligibility requirements

Following the evaluation of proposals, the funding support unit will look at prioritizing applications from the following Indigenous and equity-seeking communities:

• Mi’gmaq, Wolastoqiyik, and Peskotomuhkatiyik Nations
• Inuit
• Métis
• IBPOC (Indigenous, Black, People of Color)
• People with visible and invisible disabilities
• Refugees / Immigrants / Newcomers
• 2SLGBTQIA+

The City of Saint John recognizes that people identify themselves in many ways. Terms used to self-identify are continually evolving. People can change their identities or the ways they want to identify over time.

The project budget (managed by the artist) is $5,000 and includes, but is not limited to, all costs associated with the creation and implementation of the residency project including:

• Artist fees (including research, development, and administration)
• Materials (including any supplies, studio expenses, services, or equipment)
• Disbursements will be made throughout the project as per a negotiated schedule of deliverables. Additional funds secured by the artist through project-related grants, awards and prizes may be used to supplement the project budget.

Upon acceptance, the artist will enter an Artist Agreement with the City of Saint John.

The recommended artist or artist-led groups will be chosen through a juried selection process. Artists will be evaluated on their qualifications and experience, body of work, merit of proposal, and capacity to engage with the community.

The City’s Arts Grants Committee will review proposals based on program goals and selection criteria outlined below. Staff may be engaged to vet permits, land use, etc.

Expression of Interest

Artists will be scored based on their previous body of work and experience; capacity to engage the community; ability to deliver work of high artistic quality on time and on budget; as well a project proposal that is realistic and achievable and has a vision for community involvement.

Submission Deadline: Thursday October 10th, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.

• Expression of Interest (1-page, maximum file size 2 MB – pdf, doc or docx) Include a project proposal that describes desired outcomes and a vision for community involvement.
• Artist Resume (up to 3-pages, maximum file size 2 MB – pdf, doc or docx)
• Support Materials – Include up to 3 samples of your artistic work to support your proposal. (e.g., photos of artworks, short writing samples, links to video or sound files. Maximum file size 5 MB – pdf, doc, docx, jpg, jpeg or png – text field available for links.)
• Applicants should include letters of support and/or agreement for collaborating community groups, organizations, or private landowners if proposed artwork will be placed on private property.

Evaluation Criterion

Qualifications and experience (20%)

• The artist’s professional experience, interests and talents complement the program (5%)
• The artist has demonstrated experience and inventiveness in working collaboratively with community members (5%)
• The artist has the knowledge and skills required to facilitate, coordinate, promote, and administer the project on time and on budget (10%)

Quality of project proposal (40%)

• The project proposal outlines a project that will creatively animate public space(s) (10%)
• The project proposal has a vision for community involvement in their practices (10%)
• The project proposal will produce an outcome such as, but not limited to, a temporary installation, performance, recording, collection, creative collaboration, exhibition, or community experience that can be shared and celebrated with the public (10%)
• The preliminary project proposal is realistic and achievable (10%)

Realization of proposal (40%)

• The proposed project will creatively animate public space(s) (10%)
• The artist’s plans for cultural programming and community engagement are strong (10%)
• The proposed project demonstrates a connection to the city and/or relevance to the citizens of Saint John with potential for positive impact in the community (20%)

Please note that late proposals will not be accepted.

General Provisions

Artist Agreement: The successful artist(s) will enter into an Artist Agreement with the City of Saint John. Upon notification of being awarded the project, the successful artist will have a 7-day period to finalize and sign the agreement.

Conflict of Interest: Applicants must disclose any potential conflicts of interest in their submission, including any which may involve City employees, Council members, or members of the Saint John Community Arts Board.

Reserved Rights: The City of Saint John and the Saint John Community Arts Board are not obliged to accept any of the submissions and reserve the right to not recommend any proposal or finalist and to terminate or re-advertise any project.

Update (May 1, 2024): Provincial recycling program now in effect for Saint John

The City of Saint John would like to make residents aware of changes to curbside recycling collection services.  As part of the Province of New Brunswick’s recently expanded Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, management of all curbside recycling collection will become the responsibility of a third-party service provider, Miller Waste, beginning May 1.

All recycling collection inquiries should be directed to Miller Waste including replacement totes, schedules and missed collections:

Phone: 1-833-644-1163

Email: nb@millerwaste.ca
A non-profit called Circular Materials (https://www.circularmaterials.ca/) is coordinating this EPR expansion. The recycling collection service provider for Saint John is Miller Waste.

What residents need to know about their curbside recycling collection

• As of May 1, residents will have new curbside recycling pickup dates and times. Collection schedules will be managed and implemented by Miller Waste and details about the changes are expected to be communicated by Circular Materials in the coming days.
• The ReCollect app is currently being updated and will still be available and the best source for determining your pickup day. In the meantime, residents can go to NB Recycling Guide_CitySaintJohn to find your recycling schedule.
• There will be no changes to the types of materials that can be recycled under the new program.
• There are no changes to collection of your garbage or compost as a result of this program.

The change comes as a result of the Province of New Brunswick’s expansion of the EPR program to paper and packaging under the Designated Materials Regulation and is being implemented in municipalities throughout the province.

Improved curbside garbage and compost collection services are now underway with the enhanced Waste Wise Program. 

Program Highlights:

Garbage bag limits:

• • One full city-issued garbage cart (approximately two large garbage bags)
  • For households that will not receive a garbage cart and will continue to receive bag collection (South-Central Peninsula, Old North End and Waterloo Village):
    • A limit of one bag per weekly pickup
       
• Garbage Bag Tags for excess garbage:
  • Bag tags are required when allowable garbage bag limits are reached and additional bags need to be used.
  • Bag tags can be purchased for $2 per tag at the City Hall Customer Service Centre and other locations across the city. Find a full list of vendors HERE or seen below.
  • Bag tags are available for purchase at locations across the City including City Hall.

*Residents may request bag tags to be mailed to them by contacting the Customer Service Centre at 506-658-4455. A minimum order of one full sheet (13 tags) and payment by credit card is required.

• Curbside compost will continue to be offered under the new program.
   
• The bulky items pick-up service will continue to be offered to all customers, by appointment, by contacting Customer Service at 506-658-4455.   

Urban bag tags

Residents who live in the South-Central Peninsula, Old North End and Waterloo Village areas of the city will be required to place an urban bag tag on their garbage bags prior to pickup.

Urban bag tags are mailed to residents living in those areas twice a year in January and July. 

Medical Waste Support Program

Do you or someone in your household have a medical condition that results in additional waste that cannot be recycled?

The City of Saint John’s Medical Waste Support program is designed to assist those who regularly need to dispose of extra garbage due to medical reasons.  For those who qualify, the program provides garbage tags for 52 additional bags tags per year at no cost.

To protect your privacy, all tags provided are standard City of Saint John Excess Garbage Bag Tags. Applications are accepted throughout the year and must be renewed annually.

How to apply and program details:

• Download and complete the (PDF). The form must be signed by a Physician or Nurse Practitioner before it is returned to the City as outlined in the application.
• Only paper copies of this form will be accepted.
• If you do not access to a printer, you can call 506-658-4455 and arrange to have a form mailed to you.
• Once received, the application will be reviewed for accuracy. Incomplete forms will be returned to the applicant.
• If there are multiple residents who live in the household requiring extra tags, a separate form must be filled out for each resident.
• If approved, 52 City of Saint John excess garbage bag tags will be mailed to the address provided.
• This program excludes personal protective equipment (PPE).

Applications must be renewed annually on the anniversary date of the applicant’s program approval by filling out a Medical Waste Support Renewal Form (PDF). The application renewal date will be provided in a letter that accompanies the tags. 

Please visit the "Related Documents" section of this page for application forms.

-------

We can all make improvements in the amount of waste we generate in our lives, and become more responsible for our waste. Waste Wise Saint John is an initiative that aims to help residents reduce waste through education, resources, and enforcement. 

Composting

Composting reduces landfill waste, thereby extending the life of the landfill. Plus, animals and birds will not be attracted to your garbage if there is no food product in it, which makes for cleaner properties and streetscapes. But did you know that it even makes economic sense to compost? The FRSC fee for compost is $40 per metric tonne, compared to the $108 per tonne of garbage. We save money and help save the planet when we compost.

For composting tips, please visit the Fundy Regional Service Commission website here.

Recycling

You can reduce household waste by nearly 50 per cent when you recycle!

Household electronics can be recycled at the Crane Mountain Landfill Hazardous Waste Depot and at other depot locations throughout the city. This is a free program.

For more recycling information including a blue bin map, visit Fundyrecycles.com.

Preventing a mess

You can help prevent garbage from making a mess of yards, sidewalks or streets. Secure your containers during inclement weather, and cover your garbage with an old blanket or tarp to prevent animal and bird interference—crews will leave your covering behind when they clear your street. Remember, you are responsible for your garbage and any loose refuse resulting from weather, animals, or otherwise.

Saint John Transit service enhancements focus on North/South routes and Route 1 East/West, beginning July 3, 2023

Route 25 (Millidgeville/North) will be discontinued and will be split into Route 24 North End and FLEX Millidgeville.

The Saint John Transit Commission is pleased to announce Phase 3 enhancements as part of the Transforming Transit project.

Enhanced schedules, new features and technology, and improved industry and system standards are making our transit service more financially and environmentally sustainable and providing more Saint John residents with better and more accessible transportation options.  

This transformation is guided by principles that consider Saint John’s people and geography, industry standards, passenger and stop data, route modelling, and a comprehensive study of the transit system conducted by Stantec.

New Route and Flex Zone

Route 25 (Millidgeville/North) will be discontinued and will be split into Route 24 North End and FLEX Millidgeville.

NEW Route 24 North End
The Old North End will be serviced by Route 24, a new route that will run from Metcalf Street through the North End back to Place 400 where transferring will be available every 15 minutes. Hourly service will begin at 6:30 am and continue to 5:45 pm Monday to Friday. Saturday service runs from 10:30am to 5:45 pm.

NEW FLEX Millidgeville
Areas in Millidgeville currently served by Route 25 will be serviced by FLEX Millidgeville. The new zone does not include University Avenue. Transit service and stops beyond Brothers Cove on Kennebecasis Drive and along Sandy Point Road will be discontinued.

Bus service will be available from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm Monday to Friday, and 10 am to 6 pm on Saturdays.

Hours for booking

You can book on the app during service hours.
Telephone booking is available from 6:30 am until 5pm weekdays and 10 am to 5 pm on Saturdays.

Riders can travel stop-to-stop within the Millidgeville FLEX zone or transfer to Routes 3 or 9 North (University/Hospital) at a new stop at 608 Millidge Avenue (old Station 8). Riders who want to transfer to Route 3 or 9 East (Uptown/ McAllister Place) will transfer at the existing stop at the corner of Millidge Avenue and Woodward Avenue.

FLEX is an on-demand service that goes to stops where it’s requested within a zone instead of following a fixed route. The new Millidgeville FLEX zone will include all areas previously covered on the Millidgeville portion of Route 25 offer longer hours of service.

To access FLEX, riders can download the “Saint John Flex app” via the Apple Store or Google Play. Riders can use the app on their phones or tablets or call 506 652-3539 (FLEX) to schedule a pickup at their nearest stop. Transit planners encourage Saint Johners with friends, family, neighbours and co-workers in Millidgeville to help them set up a Saint John Transit FLEX account and take advantage of this new transit service.

Signage will be posted throughout the zone.

Riders are encouraged to book trips in advance for best service. The intent is to provide service within half an hour of a rider’s request. 

Exact schedules for the fixed routes and the Millidgeville FLEX zone information will be available in saintjohn.ca in the coming weeks.
 

Fixed Route Service Enhancements

Route 1 (E/W)
Monday to Friday
The second most used line in the city, running from the Irving Oil Field House (East) to the Lancaster Mall (West) will run every 15 minutes during peak hours (6:35 am to 10:00 am, and 2:35 pm to 6:30 pm) with half-hour service during off-peak hours. Route 1 service begins at 6:05 am and ends at 10:55 pm. Saturday and Sunday service will remain as is.

Route 3 (E/N)
Monday to Friday

The first run on Route 3E will begin at UNB Saint John at 6:00 am. The last trip on Route 3N will depart from McAllister Place at 10:20 pm and arrive at UNB Saint John at 11:00 pm. The last trip Route 3E will depart from UNB Saint John at 11 pm and arrive at McAllister Place at 11:40 pm.

Route 15 (S)
Monday to Friday
The first run on Route 15S will begin at Lancaster Mall at 6:20 am.

Route 21 (South End) and Route 23 (Crescent Valley)
Monday to Friday
Service on these lines will begin at 6:25 am and end at 9:20 pm.  Buses will run every 30 minutes until 6:20 pm, with hourly service during evenings. Service previously began at 7:35 am and ended at 6:20 pm and ran hourly.  Saturday will remain the same as the current service. There is no Sunday service on this route.

Route 20 (Wright Street)
Monday to Friday
Hourly service will begin 6:10 am and continue until 6:25 pm. Service previously began at 7:40 am and ended at 6:05 pm. Saturday service will be hourly from 9:50am to 5:25pm. There is no Sunday service on this route.

FLEX West users who book using the telephone, telephone booking hours are 6:30 am until 5:00 pm. This change is to accommodate service expansion to Saint John Transit service.

Trip Planning
Riders can download the “Transit” app using Google Play or the App Store for trip planning. The Transit app integrates fixed routes and FLEX zones and also allows riders to book Flex rides.

About Transforming Transit

Riders began to see the results of the Transforming Transit project in October 2022.

Riders have seen frequency increases on rapid lines, extended service hours on other routes and the introduction of FLEX service in demand service. FLEX routes and shorter routes in the city are being serviced by six, 20-foot leased electric Karsan eJest buses.

In order to flourish, Saint John must enhance its ability to achieve measurable growth in three target areas: population, employment and tax base.

A standing Growth Committee, established by Saint John Common Council in 2016 has been tasked with reviewing opportunities and challenges related to growth.

The Roadmap to Smart Growth

We must maximize our ability to grow through strategic and immediate actions.

The Roadmap for Smart Growth is an economic growth and development strategy. The Growth Committee conducted best practice analysis and consulted with a number of sources, including economic development agencies, local developers, volunteers and partners in order to identify the new direction for the City of Saint John’s economic development efforts and actions outlined in the strategy.

Population Growth Framework

Saint John will be the most welcoming community in New Brunswick.

Our community can no longer watch our population decline. We need to have a focused and coordinated approach to growing our population. The Population Growth Framework will help our community to build on our existing efforts and will spur action around the things we can influence.

In order to be effective at population growth, we will need every level of Government, local businesses, stakeholders, and our whole community working together to achieve growth.

The strategies outlined in the framework are thirty new or enhanced actions that we will take as a community to grow our population.  Many of the actions will require coordinated work plans and leveraged funding. Each action will be coordinated by a lead organization, and they will be supported by partnering organizations.

For over 25 years the City of Saint John has been a leader in implementing best practices in energy efficiency.

Update (May 1, 2024): Provincial recycling program now in effect for Saint John

The City of Saint John would like to make residents aware of changes to curbside recycling collection services.  As part of the Province of New Brunswick’s recently expanded Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, management of all curbside recycling collection will become the responsibility of a third-party service provider, Miller Waste, beginning May 1.

All recycling collection inquiries should be directed to Miller Waste including replacement totes, schedules and missed collections:

Phone: 1-833-644-1163

Email: nb@millerwaste.ca

The ReCollect app is currently being updated and will still be the best source for determining your pickup day. In the meantime, residents can go to NB Recycling Guide_CitySaintJohn to find your recycling schedule.

A non-profit called Circular Materials (https://www.circularmaterials.ca/) is coordinating this EPR expansion. The recycling collection service provider for Saint John is Miller Waste.

What residents need to know about their curbside recycling collection

• As of May 1, residents will have new curbside recycling pickup dates and times. Collection schedules will be managed and implemented by Miller Waste and details about the changes are expected to be communicated by Circular Materials in the coming days.
• The ReCollect app is currently being updated and will still be available and the best source for determining your pickup day. 
• There will be no changes to the types of materials that can be recycled under the new program.
• There are no changes to collection of your garbage or compost as a result of this program.

The change comes as a result of the Province of New Brunswick’s expansion of the EPR program to paper and packaging under the Designated Materials Regulation and is being implemented in municipalities throughout the province

-----

Improved curbside garbage, recycling and compost collection services are now underway with the enhanced Waste Wise Program. CLICK HERE to learn more.

For eligible residential properties, the City of Saint John collects your household garbage and organics on one week and two week schedules, Monday through Friday. To keep your neighbourhood clean, please do not place your waste curbside before the following timeframes.

For daytime collection, place your waste curbside between 10 p.m. the evening before collection, and 7:30 a.m. the day of collection. For nighttime collection, place your waste curbside between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Please note: As of October 23, 2022, recycling, compost and garbage waste for nighttime collection must be placed curbside before 10:00 p.m.

Collection schedules are subject to change as of October 23. Use the ReCollect tool below to find your collection schedule.

What are Residential Zone Parking Permits?

A Residential Zone Parking Permit makes it easier for residents to find curbside parking in their designated zone by exempting permit holders from the two-hour parking limit that’s otherwise enforced. The permit does not guarantee a parking space.

Please note the following additional requirements and rules:

• Residential permit holders are exempt from the 2-hour limit—but are still subject to all other traffic regulations such as parking meter regulations and signs prohibiting or restricting parking, stopping, or standing.
• A person must reside on a street for which the Residential Zone Parking Permit is issued. 
• A permit will be issued only to residents who do not have access to off-street parking. 
• A permit is effective as soon as it is issued. 
• A permit may be issued to more than one vehicle per dwelling unit.
• The permit will not be renewed until all tickets have been paid in full. 

How much does the permit cost?

Annual permits cost $75.00 (HST included) per vehicle per year. The HotSpot app/website accepts payment through credit card, visa/debit card or a prepaid credit card. Alternatively, you can purchase your permit at City Hall located at 15 Market Square, Saint John at the Customer Service Front desk, Monday to Thursday (excluding holidays), 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

How can I purchase a permit?

Residential Parking Permits can be purchased through the HotSpot app/website, which allows customers the ability to manage their own residential permits through the application. Purchase a permit here.

What documents are required to purchase a permit?

1. REGISTRATION (INDICATING CURRENT UPTOWN ADDRESS); and

     • If the information on the registration cannot be changed (ex: parents name, company vehicle), please also provide the insurance policy showing the corresponding policy information and the applicant named as an insured driver on the vehicle.

2. PROOF OF RECENT RESIDENCY IN THE UPTOWN AREA – (ONLY ONE IS REQUIRED); and This documentation must be presented upon renewal each year.

     • Recent copy of lease or rent receipt indicating address (within 2 months)

     • Current utility bill for service at that address (power, telephone, cable etc.) (within 2 months)

     • Other current business type mail (bank or credit card statement etc.) (within 2 months)

   3. NO OUTSTANDING PARKING TICKETS

     • All parking tickets must be paid in full

The Parking Department allows uptown residents to purchase temporary residential parking permits for their visitor (100km outside Saint John) or for new residents to the city to provide time to update vehicle registration prior to purchasing an annual residential pass.

How does enforcement know if I have a permit?

While there are no hanging tags required, once a permit is purchased through the HotSpot app/website, by-law enforcement officers monitor and enforce the residential parking program through a scan by license plate system. There are currently 6 residential zones in the South-Central Peninsula.

How do I renew my parking permit?

Residents need to reapply each year for a permit and resubmit digital copies of proof of residency to complete the application. Residents can purchase their 2024-2025 permit as of April 15, 2024. Residential parking permits are NOT transferable.

To reapply please log in to the HotSpot app/website and apply for a new Residential Parking Permit for the 2024-2025 season here.

I need help and/or have more questions regarding my application, who can I contact?

If you require assistance for your application, please contact HotSpot customer support at 1-855-712-5888 or online support@htsp.ca.

For the City of Saint John Customer Service Centre call 658-4455 or email service@saintjohn.ca

I am unsure if I have outstanding parking tickets?

If you are unsure if you have any outstanding parking tickets, please contact 506-658-4455, Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  

Payments can be made via 506-658-4455, in person at the City Hall customer service or online by using this link: https://ipn.paymentus.com/rotp/sjpt  

Saint John Transit continues to enhance service beginning
December 27, 2022

FLEX on-demand service will replace Routes 13 and 14 Churchill/Milford on January 9, 2023

Guided by principles that considered Saint John’s people and geography, industry standards, passenger and stop data, route modelling, and a comprehensive study of the transit system conducted by Stantec. Service enhancements, new features and technology, and improved industry and system standards will make our transit service more financially and environmentally sustainable, and provide more Saint John residents with better and more accessible transportation options.  

Route 1 East extension (December 27)
The Route 1 Rapid Line running between the City’s East and West Sides will extend to serve the Irving Oil Field House East. Lancaster Mall West will be the last stop on Route 1. Riders travelling between Lancaster Mall and Fairville Plaza on the Golden Mile can transfer to Route 15.

Route 15 Harbour Bridge route change (December 27)

Service on the Route 15 Harbour Bridge Community Line running between the West Side and Uptown via the Harbour Bridge will extend to serve Fairville Plaza. To accommodate this extension, Route 15 will now travel along Ludlow Street. Stops on Champlain, Charlotte, Duke Streets will close, and stops will be added on Ludlow Street. Temporary signage will be posted to announce closed stops.

On-demand FLEX service replacing Routes 13 and 14 (January 9, 2023)

FLEX is an on-demand service that goes to stops where it’s requested within a zone instead of following a fixed route. The new West FLEX zone will include all areas previously covered by Routes 13 and 14, will extend further west than the current bus service, and will offer longer hours of service.

To access FLEX, riders can use the SpareLabs app or simply call Transit to schedule a bus pickup at their nearest stop. Transit planners encourage Saint Johners with friends, family and neighbours who use Routes 13 and 14 to help them set up a Saint John Transit FLEX account and take advantage of this new transit service.

Riders can travel stop-to-stop within the West zone or transfer to Route 1 East at the Lancaster Mall or to Route 15 at the Lancaster Mall or Fairville Plaza.

Riders in the area will notice that several stops will close and new stops will be opened. Temporary signage will be posted.

Transit planners believe that FLEX will deliver better service for riders by allowing them to travel when they want. This service will be available all day from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm Monday to Friday. FLEX service will be available from 10 am until 6 pm on Saturdays. The intent is to provide service within half an hour of a rider’s request.  

Further information about FLEX West service will be provided on saintjohn.ca/transit and on buses in the coming weeks. “Pop up” events will also taking place to introduce riders to the service.

20-passenger electric buses

This past summer, Saint John Transit conducted a successful pilot of an electric Karzan Jest bus on various routes throughout the City. Residents can expect to see six of these late model, leased 20-passenger buses providing on-demand FLEX service and running on short community routes.

Service on Route 12 Martinon will operate as usual, including stops in the FLEX west zone.

________________________________________________

Mid 2023 will see new technology and more enhancements

In 2023 riders will see further service enhancements.  Enhancements are scheduled for early summer 2023. Enhancements will include streamlined community routes and the introduction of additional on-demand FLEX service zones.

Other service enhancements planned for 2023 include:

• Increased frequency on Rapid and Community Lines
• Electronic fares
• Automated stop announcements
• Wayfinding, signage and stop improvements

_________________________________________

Additional benefits

As of December 1, CNIB cardholders who present their cards to a upon boarding a bus can ride Saint John Transit for free. This is one of the service enhancements approved by the Saint John Transit Commission as part of the Transforming Transit project, and is designed to increase accessibility to the system.

This past October, service hours were also extended on Routes 9 and Routes 15. Common stops on Routes 3 and 9 now have 15-minute frequency during peak hours. Route 15 now begins two hours earlier in the morning.

To make our transit service more usable, digital displays on buses now indicate the direction in which a bus is travelling.

The Transforming Transit project is the result of a comprehensive study of the City’s transit system which was completed in 2020.  Based on the results of the study, service enhancements and features were designed and developed to enable Saint John Transit to operate more sustainably, attract new riders and better serve current riders, adopt new technology, and introduce industry and system standards.

The City of Saint John, through the work of the Community Arts Board, offers two grant streams for artists and arts organizations to receive funding:

Artist in Residence Grants

Open to artists residing within the City of Saint John practicing in an artist medium including but not limited to:

• visual (painting, sculpture),
• literary (poetry, collective works),
• performance (dance, music, opera, theatre, musical theatre),
• new media (film, television, radio, audio, video, animation, digital), or
• multidisciplinary and the intersectionality therein.

Applications will be posted on this website under "Artist in Residence Application" when the call to artists opens.

Community Arts Funding Programs

Registered non-profit organizations incorporated in New Brunswick and located within the City of Saint John are eligible for Community Arts Board funding. If the applicant is an unincorporated non-profit, an eligible organization must accept funding on their behalf and partner with them on the project. 

There are two rounds of Community Arts Funding annually for Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter.

Applications will be posted on this on this website under "Application Form for Grants Funding" when the round is open.

For more information contact artsandculture@saintjohn.ca 

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.

Image

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

Image

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

Image

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

Image

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

Image

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

Image

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

Image

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

Image

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

Image

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.

Outdoor recreational fires are a popular activity particularly during the summer months. While the Province of New Brunswick issues burning permits and advisories according to conditions in various areas of the province, cities in New Brunswick are responsible for the regulation and enforcement of controlled outside burning within their municipal boundaries. Each city has its own by-laws regarding outdoor fires. 

The Saint John Fire Department does not issue burning permits for recreational fires at a residence. Burning for the purposes of clearing land, property, or the disposal of any material does not constitute a recreational fire and is prohibited.

CITY OF SAINT JOHN OUTDOOR FIRE REGULATIONS

• Property owners are permitted to burn approved materials for recreational purposes in the proper manner.
• Recreational fires can be contained in an approved retail unit and/or at site that satisfies the requirements as listed
• Approved materials consist of clean wood or wood products (no chemically treated wood or building materials.)

GUIDELINES FOR BACKYARD FIREPLACES

• Must not be used on a combustible deck or surface unless approved for such use (ULC or WHI).
• Must be used with all screens in place and closed.
• No treated wood is to be used as fuel. (e.g. pentox or creosote).
• No refuse or garbage is to be burned.
• No chemically treated wood is to be used as fuel (e.g. Presto Logs).
• Must have a 10-litre pail of water or a connected garden hose nearby while in use.
• Must maintain proper clearance from combustibles (1.5m from buildings and fuel supplies, 3m from tall grass and 15m from wooded areas).
• Some units require clearance from bottom of unit to ground. 
• Must follow manufacturer's instructions.
• Must not be left unattended while in operation and all embers extinguished when fire has been completed and not left to burn out on its own.
• Must not be overloaded (screens must be kept closed except for when charging the unit).
• Open circles of rocks and tire rims (campfires or bonfires) are not permitted under this approval, and home-made devices must incorporate a screen having an opening of not more than 12mm when being used as a recreational fireplace.

Screened:

• 1.5 meters from combustibles
• 15 meters from wooded areas 
• 3 meters from tall grass
• Screens must be a maximum of 12 mm

Not Screened:

• 150 meters from wooded areas or other property structures
• Do not burn in high wind conditions
• Backyard fireplaces (retail units) must be used in conjunction with manufacturer's instructions and U.L.C., W.H.I. approved usage methods