TEASER (for reading earlier in the show or the hour, at your discretion):
Coming up shortly on CHMA, the daily news roundup, with the following local stories:
surveillance in Town Hall
free speech and town council’s code of conduct
and solutions for the cross border economy
That’s coming up on the CHMA daily news roundup in *** minutes.
NEWS:
And now for the CHMA daily news roundup:
For the seventh day in a row, the province reported no new cases of COVID-19 yesterday in New Brunswick.
Public health posted 479 new test results, with 157 in the South East Region.
That’s above the target set by Chief Medical Officer of Health Jennifer Russell. Russell says the province should be performing at least 2300 tests per week, an average of 329 tests per day.
Premier Blaine Higgs said yesterday the province will renew its state of emergency for another two weeks.
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New Brunswick’s Ombudsman is suggesting that Sackville warn the public about the presence of surveillance cameras in its Town Hall.
Charles Murray says it’s “best practice” to post signs so that people know they’re being watched.
Cameras have been installed in the reception area where people gather outside the Sackville council chambers.
When the presence of the cameras first became known two years ago, town officials said they were needed for public safety.
Murray says that posting warning signs would maintain public trust and honesty.
New Brunswick’s Ombudsman has oversight over privacy issues, but does not have the power to order Sackville to post signs warning about the presence of surveillance cameras in its Town Hall.
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Two experts are warning that Sackville Town Council’s new Code of Conduct could stifle free speech and shut down dissent.
Mount Allison politics professor Geoff Martin points to sections of the Code that prohibit members of council from sending e-mails or creating posts on social media that could be considered offensive, inappropriate, dishonest or disrespectful.
Martin says people can disagree on what is offensive and disrespectful.
He adds that the members of Sackville Town Council should have the right to speak out because they’re independently elected and should not be treated as town employees.
A law professor at the University of New Brunswick agrees.
Nicole O’Byrne suggests Sackville’s new Code of Conduct violates the Charter’s guarantee of free speech.
O’Byrne also points to a section of the Code that says councillors should arrange their private affairs so that they can bear close public scrutiny.
She says it’s no wonder people don’t want to run for public office given the abysmally low pay and lack of personal privacy.
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A group of business leaders in the Amherst and Sackville area are asking Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to come up with a solution that can restore the cross-border economy.
Border restrictions in both provinces have severely disrupted businesses and daily life on both sides of the border.
Here’s Erica Butler with more:
AUDIO OPENS: “Last week a group of 30 people…
ENDS: “…Reporting for CHMA news, I’m Erica Butler.”
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A survey released Tuesday says that about 30% of students who were planning to attend post-secondary school in the fall are considering changing their plans.
The survey was commissioned by the Canadian Federation of Students and the Canadian Association of University Teachers.
A number of Canadian universities have announced that their fall courses will be delivered primarily online.
Mount Allison University will make an announcement on Friday in response to the latest lifting of provincial restrictions.
CHMA News will keep you posted.
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At Wednesday’s briefing, Chief Medical Officer of Health Jennifer Russell gave further advice on the wearing of community masks. Russell says masks should be worn for short periods of time and washed in soapy water before re-using.
AUDIO RUSSELL clip 1
And by wearing a mask you are preventing any droplets that could carry the virus from you to being from being passed on to anyone close to you. This is the most effective This is most effective in circumstances where physical distancing is difficult. For instance, in a crowded supermarket, a short appointment or in public transit. It is required they You wear a face covering in these situations, but you should not wear a mask all the time or even for extended periods.
Russell warns that wearing a mask for extended periods means if you are exhaling the virus, you could be re-inhaling it as well, which could have “unintended consequences”.
Russell reiterated the importance of following public health guidelines, and also encouraged people to get outside this weekend.
AUDIO RUSSELL clip 2
COVID-19 travels with people. So you are the vector You are the viewer that you are a person who can transmit to somebody else, even if you don’t have symptoms. So, again, it’s really, really important that we follow all of the public health guidelines and measures that are in place right now to protect everyone. Practice physical distancing, where community face mask when you’re in a crowded place, wash your hands, avoid touching your face, and get outside this weekend. It’s gonna be a long weekend and I do encourage people to get outside. being outside does decrease the risk of transmission, we know that transmission of COVID-19 happens more frequently indoors. So as much time as you can spend outdoors the better.
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That was the CHMA daily news roundup.
Are there stories you’d like to hear told on your local airwaves? CHMA wants to help bring you news about your community.
If you have questions or concerns about life in Sackville and the Tantramar area, get in touch with us at news@chmafm.com
