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(NB-Police-Visibility-Pilot)
A pilot project that added two dedicated patrol officers to downtown Moncton for eight weeks has been deemed a success by Benoit Jolette.
The initiative resulted in a 25 per cent increase in police occurrences related to drug enforcement, traffic enforcement and interactions with intoxicated individuals, while property crimes and crimes against people declined during the same period.
Jolette said the increase in reported incidents was expected because officers were focused solely on proactive patrols rather than responding to service calls.
The 288-thousand-dollars pilot was designed to increase police visibility and improve downtown quality of life. (CBC News)
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(NL-Offender-Banished)
A Newfoundland and Labrador judge has ordered a man convicted of criminal harassment and related offences to stay out of two western Newfoundland communities as part of a three-year probation order.
Provincial court Judge Wayne Gorman said the unusual restriction was necessary because the man repeatedly ignored court orders designed to protect his former intimate partner.
The offender, identified only as “D-M” in the decision, was sentenced to 12 months in jail after pleading guilty to seven offences, including criminal harassment, uttering threats and breaching release conditions.
Gorman wrote that previous jail sentences and no-contact orders had failed to prevent further harassment, expressing concern that the man’s persistent behaviour could escalate into more serious harm. (The Canadian Press)
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(NS-Halifax-Flights-Europe)
Halifax Stanfield International Airport is seeing a major surge in transatlantic travel this summer, with flights to Europe up 40 per cent compared with last year.
According to airport officials, the growth is being driven by new flight options and reduced interest among many Canadians in travelling to the United States.
Halifax Stanfield International Airport now offers a record 15 direct routes to European destinations, including new services launched by Air Canada and WestJet.
The airport expects a record 4.4 million passengers in 2026, supported by expanded international service and its new international connections facility. (CBC News)
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(NL-Marine-Atlantic)
The Newfoundland and Labrador government has asked to intervene in a hearing examining whether Marine Atlantic should continue to be designated as an essential service.
The province says it respects the ongoing collective bargaining process between Marine Atlantic and Unifor but is concerned any change to the designation could affect long-term service reliability.
Officials argue the ferry service is critical for transporting food, fuel, medical supplies and other essential goods between Newfoundland and mainland Canada.
The province says maintaining reliable ferry operations is vital to public safety, health care and supply chains across Newfoundland and Labrador. (The Canadian Press)
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(NL-Cartwright-School-Contract)
The Newfoundland and Labrador government says it remains committed to building a new K-12 school in Cartwright after cancelling the original construction contract earlier this month.
Barry Petten said the project was halted because of escalating costs, delays, design concerns and site issues, with estimates suggesting the final price could have approached 50-million-dollars.
The province is now considering more affordable options, including modular school construction, which officials say is better suited to northern conditions.
Government officials also say residents have refused to allow contractors full access to the site until they receive a clear plan for a replacement school, though work will continue to secure the property and ensure it is safe. (The Canadian Press)
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(PEI-Strawberry-Price-Increase)
Prince Edward Island strawberry growers say this year’s crop is looking strong, but consumers should expected to pay slightly more for local berries.
Farm operators cite rising costs for labour, packaging, fertilizer and other inputs as the main reasons for higher prices.
Despite the increase, growers say conditions are much better than last year, when some farms were affected by the Neo-P strawberry fungus and widespread drought.
Producers report no signs of the disease this season, and recent rainfall has helped support healthy crop development. (CBC News)
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