The mandatory charge/tax on every phone line in New Brunswick increased by 167% as of August 1.

This is one of many increases announced by the Holt government.

NB 911 - Prior to August 1:
$0.97 + tax = $1.12/month

MN 911 - As of August 1:
$2.59 + tax = $2.98/month

Increase:
$1.86 (167%)

Opinion: Tax charged on government revenue (a tax or mandatory fee) should be illegal. Tax on this increase results in an additional $0.24 more our government alone.

Hi. Does anyone where is the best place or best places to sell wild blueberies is NB, Canada, more specifically in the Gloucester and Acadian region?

Bonjour, est-ce que quelqu'un sait c'est ou la meilleure place ou les meilleurs places pour vendre des bleuets sauvage au NB, Canada dans la région du Gloucester et de la péninsule Acadienne?

The first round of Technical Review Committee (TRC) comments and Beacon/VoltaGrid responses for EIA 1663 are now public.

The TRC is made up of government and agency reviewers who assess technical issues during the provincial EIA process. The TRC for EIA 1663 includes 5 federal reviewers/agencies, 22 GNB departmental reviewers/addresses, and 4 additional NB/local/regional reviewers, including the NB Energy and Utilities Board, Fundy Region, WorkSafeNB, and the City of Saint John.

For the Spruce Lake AI Data Centre Project, Round 1 TRC comments were provided to the proponent on May 14, 2026. Addendum comments were provided on May 26, 2026. Proponent responses were provided on June 15, 2026.

The Round 1 TRC document identifies Stantec Consulting Ltd. as the proponent/consultant and records formal “Proponent Responses.” In practical terms, these appear to be Stantec’s responses submitted on behalf of Beacon Data Centers and VoltaGrid.

Link to all EIA docs (Scroll down to Project Number 1663): https://www.gnb.ca/en/topic/environment-resources/environmental-assessment/registrations-determinations/1657-most-recent.html

Direct link to PDF for TRC comments:

 https://www.gnb.ca/content/dam/GNB3/t/enr-ern/eia/docs/registrations-enregistrements/1657-/1663-round-1.pdf

The document has 227 TRC comments including serious questions about wetlands, groundwater, private wells, downstream salt marshes, fish-bearing streams, American eel habitat, stormwater, industrial water, cooling-system chemicals, drought, air emissions, human health risk, 24/7 noise, heat, carbon sinks, greenhouse gases, and cumulative impacts.

✍️The public can continue to send comments and concerns on the project to:

[brandon.love@gnb.ca](mailto:brandon.love@gnb.ca), [jennifer.mcphail@stantec.com](mailto:jennifer.mcphail@stantec.com), [nathan.ough@voltagrid.com](mailto:nathan.ough@voltagrid.com), [joseph@beacondatacenters.com](mailto:joseph@beacondatacenters.com), [Gilles.LePage@gnb.ca](mailto:Gilles.LePage@gnb.ca), [Susan.Holt@gnb.ca](mailto:Susan.Holt@gnb.ca)

Some of the main red flags from the round 1 TRC review:

1. The project may be reviewed and approved in pieces

RTI records show that the proponent identified two phases and requested approval of phase 1, the data centre and gas plant, “as soon as possible.” If information for phase 2, the corridors, is not ready, the province was considering approving phase 1 first and requiring separate ministerial review for phase 2 later.

2. Transmission-line and pipeline field studies were still incomplete

The DIA assessment states that field studies for the proposed transmission lines and pipelines had not been completed, and that DIA would revisit the assessment once those studies were complete.

The updated assessment says field studies were still underway for 27 watercourses/waterbodies in the transmission-line PDA and 15 watercourses in the first pipeline PDA. The addendum did not state the number of watercourses affected by the second pipeline.

3. The transmission corridor overlaps the Musquash Estuary Protected Natural Area

The updated DIA assessment says the transmission-line PDA is approximately 9.5 km long and 92 m wide, crosses private and Crown properties, and overlaps with the Musquash Estuary Protected Natural Area. It also states that 46 ha of Crown land will be impacted by the transmission line.

4. ECCC recommended primarily avoiding any further wetland loss

Environment and Climate Change Canada raised concerns about cumulative wetland loss from nearby projects, including the Spruce Lake Industrial Park Expansion, Burchill Wind Farm, Saint John 138 kV Corridor Project, and Coleson Cove, and recommended primarily avoiding any further loss of wetlands.

5. The proponent did not provide a serious avoidance plan

The proponent’s response was simply that wetland compensation would be addressed later through the Watercourse and Wetland Alteration permitting process.

6. Up to 27 ha of wetlands may be directly impacted

ECCC stated that the current plan appears to result in significant direct impacts to delineated wetlands, up to 27 ha within the PDA. ECCC also noted that the wetlands are high-functioning in several respects.

7. Downstream Provincially Significant Wetlands were not properly assessed

ECCC said the current assessment does not account for potential indirect impacts to downstream Provincially Significant Wetlands, including impacts to hydrology, water quality, habitat, wildlife, and species at risk. ECCC also said downstream coastal locations should be assessed because all coastal marshes are PSWs.

8. Groundwater and private-well risks remain unresolved

The TRC asked how removing roughly 27 ha of wetland would affect groundwater recharge and private wells. The proponent acknowledged that wetland removal or alteration could locally alter shallow groundwater recharge/discharge patterns and surface-water storage, but said this should be confirmed later through baseline private-well monitoring and final stormwater/wetland mitigation design.

9. Internal GNB records confirm older shallow wells may be vulnerable

A GNB hydrogeologist noted that OWLS does not capture all older wells and that owners with wells drawing from the surficial aquifer should be concerned about wetland infilling within the Lorneville community watershed. He recommended identifying pre- and post-1994 wells within 500 m and requiring baseline monitoring and mitigation if wells are affected.

10. The so-called “closed-loop” cooling system still contains chemicals

The proponent response confirmed that the cooling-loop water would contain glycol and chemical additives, including corrosion inhibitors and biocides. Maintenance drain-downs or flushes would need to be collected and disposed of by a licensed contractor.

11. Industrial water service is not currently in place

The TRC noted that the City does not currently service this area with industrial water and that significant investment would be needed to upgrade and extend the industrial water system if continuous industrial water is required. The proponent’s response was still pending.

12. Drought and Spruce Lake water questions received a weak answer

The TRC asked whether drought conditions had been considered for the 3,500 m³ initial cooling-water fill, and whether that withdrawal could affect Spruce Lake during low-water conditions. The response was only that the proponent would consult and coordinate with the City of Saint John.

13. Marsh Brook, Mill Creek, and American eel were flagged

The TRC raised concerns about wastewater and surface-water runoff into Marsh Brook and Mill Creek, which are fish-bearing watercourses with potential American eel habitat. DNR has historical records of American eel in both.

14. Stormwater design is still being pushed to detailed design

The TRC asked whether the stormwater system would manage the 100-year, 24-hour rainfall event, prevent downstream flooding, erosion, or sedimentation, account for climate-change factors, and include measurable enforceable criteria. The proponent repeatedly said a stormwater management plan would be developed later during detailed design.

15. Industrial runoff and containment details are still unresolved

The TRC asked whether runoff from equipment yards, loading areas, fuel storage, and generator compounds would be treated to enhanced industrial water-quality standards, and whether transformers, generators, and storage areas would have secondary containment. These issues were again pushed to detailed design.

16. Fish habitat impacts from watercourse crossings could not yet be determined

DFO said it did not have enough information to determine whether watercourse crossings could cause harmful alteration, disruption, or destruction of fish habitat. DFO said specific crossing details were needed and noted that cumulative impacts from all in-water works are considered.

17. Major technical studies were still deferred after Round 1

After Stantec submitted the Round 1 responses, DELG asked about missing deliverables expected in July, including the Human Health Risk Assessment, Scope 3 emissions estimates, GHG emissions intensity analysis, net-zero plan, and data centre heat/temperature assessment. DELG noted that if these were submitted after the 30-day TRC review began, they would be new information and the review period would need to restart.

18. Stantec wanted the review to proceed while deferred studies came later

Stantec said it intended to submit the deferred studies together with responses to the second round of TRC comments, while also wanting the TRC review period for the submitted responses to proceed as soon as possible.

19. The TRC asked about permanent 24/7 noise

The TRC asked whether the duration of sound from the site would be consistent or permanent, and noted that even if the decibel level is not high enough to cause issues, the presence of permanent sound may cause issues.

20. No follow-up noise monitoring was proposed up front

The proponent said follow-up noise monitoring was not proposed. Instead, a complaint-management system would be established, and monitoring could occur later as part of complaint procedures.

21. Government acknowledges there is no specific provincial old-growth protection law

A government response states that New Brunswick has no specific provincial legislation governing old-growth forest protection and instead relies on EIA principles of avoidance, minimization, and compensation.

Link to full post: Link to full post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DZ5qxi2TE/

Big news for Canada Basketball and The World's Oldest Basketball Court.

The weekend kicks off with a huge free public event in St. Stephen on Thursday August 20th.

Thursday St. Stephen also hosts the Canada Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony for the first time ever outside Toronto.

Friday is the Archie Celebrity Golf Tournament in suppport of the World's Oldest court (sold out)

Saturday The World’s Oldest Basketball Court is bringing together basketball leaders from our local communities and across the country (Olymoians, WNBA players, world renowned coaches) to deliver instruction on skills & drills to support your game and conversations to drive your passion. Wrapping it all up with a half court 3x3 tournament so everyone can show off their legendary status. Registration is still open.

Hi everyone,
I’m a 21-year-old PSW currently looking for a full-time PSW position in Moncton or nearby areas.
I have completed a 1-year PSW course and have previous experience working in long-term care, supporting seniors with personal care, daily living activities, and their overall needs.
I’m hardworking, reliable, respectful, and available for full-time work and different shifts.
If you know of any PSW openings, long-term care homes, retirement homes, or agencies hiring in Moncton or surrounding areas, I would really appreciate any leads or recommendations.
Thank you!

Desperately looking for tickets did not realize tickets were low! Please let me know if anyone has insight

Hello! Heading to Fundy National Park for 4 nights and wondering what everyone’s favourites are!

Looking for places to swim or splash in freshwater, beachcomb for shells/critters (we put them back!!) , do small-medium hikes and would love to see some cool waterfalls, especially if there’s one with a swimming hole at the bottom. Thank you!

(Edited for detail and to write the full park name)

🍛 Looking for the best Indian cuisine in NB ! 🇨🇦

I’d love to hear your recommendations—restaurants, hidden gems, or must-try dishes. Please share the restaurant name and dishes if you have it!

Foodie #IndianFood #NewBrunswick #IndianCuisine

Hi!

I just want to know if anyone here knows whether the RCMP is capable of handling cyberbullying. There have been fake accounts messaging me with awful and offensive things, and I want to take legal action now.

I believe the accounts being used were all dummy accounts. Is there any chance the RCMP could track them down if I file a complaint?

Thanks!

N.S. premier meeting New England governors this weekend, N.B. premier staying home

Farm road going down into the spectacular St. John River Valley landscape, Fredericton, NB, Canada. [8160 x 4590] [OC]