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(NB-Skilled-Tradespeople-Demand)
New Brunswick’s population has declined for nine consecutive months for the first time in 20 years, losing 886 residents since the beginning of 2026.
Economic consultant David Campbell warns the decline threatens the province’s long-term prosperity and economic strength.
The shrinking population is worsening skilled-trades shortages as construction demand reaches record levels amid housing and infrastructure pressures.
Industry officials say labour shortages could delay major projects, including upgrades to the Mactaquac Dam and Irving’s 1.5-billion-dollar Project NextGen.
(CBC News)
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(NB-Greens-Leadership)
The Green Party of New Brunswick is looking for a new leader.
The party says leadership hopefuls can start applying for the job on August 4th.
Party members will elect their new leader through a ranked-ballot vote this fall, and the winner will be announced on December 5th.
The contest was triggered after longtime leader and M-L-A David Coon said he was stepping down.
(The Canadian Press)
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(NS-Wildfire-Helicopters)
Nova Scotia has put four new Airbus H-125 helicopters into service to fight wildfires and support emergency operations.
The aircraft will also assist with search and rescue, scientific research, aerial surveillance, and transporting people and equipment.
Nearly 10 thousand naming suggestions were submitted, with the helicopters named Spirit of the Osprey, Eagle, Hawk and Falcon.
The fleet cost 25.2-million-dollars, split equally between the federal and provincial governments.
(The Canadian Press)
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(NS-Seabird-Tracking)
Federal researchers are using about 600 bright-orange wooden blocks to study where dead seabirds are likely to wash ashore along Nova Scotia’s coast.
The blocks were released between Halifax and Sable Island and off northern Cape Breton, with several carrying G-P-S trackers.
Birders and beachgoers who find them are being asked to report the date and location to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
The findings will help officials trace seabird deaths and respond more effectively to avian flu outbreaks, oil spills, and other marine threats.
(The Canadian Press)
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(NL-Deer-Lake-Driver-Arrest)
Newfoundland and Labrador R-C-M-P arrested two people following a traffic stop in Deer Lake on July 11th.
Police say Bert Gosney and Krystal White were prohibited from contacting each other under conditions imposed after a previous arrest and release.
Officers noticed their vehicle turn away from an unrelated traffic stop, located it nearby and arrested both occupants.
Each appeared in court over the weekend charged with failing to comply with an undertaking.
(The Canadian Press)
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(PEI-Charlottetown-Fentanyl-Seizure)
Charlottetown police seized 62 grams of fentanyl, cash, cellphones and suspected drug-trafficking equipment during a targeted vehicle stop on July 7th.
Graydon Hearn and Rebecca Cairns are each charged with possessing fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking.
Hearn was remanded in custody, while Cairns was released under a court order.
Both are set to appear in court on July 16th, and police are asking anyone with information about illegal drug activity to come forward.
(The Canadian Press)
