Some 'good showdowns' expected in N.B. local elections after 1,100 decide to run
Some municipal councils will have acclaimed members after May 11
The deadline for candidates to sign up for New Brunswick municipal elections on May 11 has passed. (Shane Magee/CBC)With nominations for the May 11 municipal elections now closed, there are some potentially lively contests in some areas, and acclaimed mayors and councillors in others.
The latter bunch includes Tracy and McAdam, where the entire councils will be acclaimed with no elections needed.
Voters across New Brunswick will elect mayors and councillors in municipalities or members of rural district advisory committees. District education councils are up for elections the same day.
In total, 1,102 people put their names forward for council positions.
“There have been some communities where there's like a really good contest, good showdowns that are going to take place,” said Paul Harpelle, director of communications for Elections New Brunswick.
“And, you know, hopefully that might translate into interest at that local level in that community and trickle down to some excitement amongst voters when it's time for them to go vote."
The province’s three biggest cities have lively races across the board, with many people running for mayor and council spots.
Fredericton and Saint John each have 32 people running for 12 councillor spots, and Moncton has 23 people running for 10 spots.
Fredericton and Moncton will both get new mayors.
In Moncton, the mayoralty candidates are current councillors Shawn Crossman and Charles Léger, Jeffrey McCluskey and Brian F.P. Murphy, a former member of Parliament and mayor.
There's a three-way race for mayor in Fredericton, where former MP Jenica Atwin, Coun. Steve Hicks, and John M. Reid are after the mayor's job.
Mayor Donna Reardon is running again in Saint John, where Blaine Harris and Coun. Barry Ogden are also seeking the top post.
Two smaller municipalities also have large numbers of candidates running: both Miramichi and Tracadie each have five in the running for mayor and 32 running for council.
Other municipalities with large numbers of people running for council are Bathurst, Campbellton, Caraquet, Carleton North, Edmundston and Riverview.
Out of New Brunswick’s 77 municipalities, 52 will have a contested race for the mayor’s role.
Thirty-four municipalities will see the incumbent mayor challenged by at least one other person. Two out of those 34 incumbent mayors, in Campbellton and Champdoré, are acting mayors after the elected mayor stepped aside at some point.
Eighteen municipalities are guaranteed to see new people in the mayor's job after the incumbents chose not to run.
In 20 municipalities, the incumbent mayor will be acclaimed. Five municipalities will see a non-incumbent, new mayor acclaimed.
As for acclamations, two places, Tracy and McAdam, are set to have their mayor and entire councils acclaimed with no competition.
Grand-Bouctouche and Nashwaak both will have one vacancy on council after not enough people signed up to run.
And two municipalities, Tantramar and Île-de-Lamèque, have their incumbent mayors running for a council seat this time around. The acting mayor of Saint Andrews is also running for a council seat there.
The three municipalities currently operating with appointed supervisors, Strait Shores, Sunbury-York South and Miramichi River Valley, will all see the last person who held the acting mayor role run for mayor. They are not counted as incumbents as there is technically no mayor and council in any of the three.
Candidates have until 5 p.m. on Monday to withdraw from the race if they reconsider.
A full list of candidates is available on the Elections N.B. website.
Incumbent Mayors Acclaimed (20 municipalities):
- Alnwick (Ernest Yvon Robichaud)
- Cap-Acadie (Serge Leger)
- Fredericton Junction (R. Len Falconer)
- Fundy Shores (George (Denny) Cogswell)
- Grand Bay-Westfield (Brittany Merrifield)
- Hampton (Robert (Dewey) D. Doucet)
- Hartland (Tracey DeMerchant)
- Maple Hills (Erica Warren)
- McAdam (Kenneth Stannix)
- Memramcook (Maxime O. Bourgeois)
- Nackawic-Millville (Tim Fox)
- Nashwaak (David Sweeney)
- Neguac (Georges R. Savoie)
- Nouvelle-Arcadie (Jimmy Bourque)
- Oromocto (Bob Powell)
- Riverview (Andrew J. LeBlanc)
- Salisbury (Robert Campbell)
- Shippagan (Kassim Doumbia)
- Tracy (Dale W. Mowry)
- Valley Waters (Randy McKnight)
Non-incumbent mayor acclaimed (5 municipalities)
- Hautes-Terres (Cathy Paulin)
- Haut-Madawaska (Nancy Ann Landry)
- Quispamsis (Mary Schryer)
- Rothesay (Matt Alexander)
- Upper Miramichi (Frank McKeil)
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Municipal election advance polls see 15% of eligible N.B. voters cast ballots early
Election day is May 11
Over 83,000 New Brunswickers cast their ballot in an advance poll for the province’s local government elections.
According to chief electoral officer Kim Poffenroth, the turnout is higher for early voting than past municipal elections.
“People are taking advantage of early voting opportunities, something we've seen an increase in since the pandemic elections in 2020 and 2021,” Poffenroth said.
There are also more New Brunswickers living in municipalities since the municipal governance restructuring.
Kim
Poffenroth, the chief electoral officer for the province, said
municipal government turnout is around 30 per cent of eligible voters,
so the fact that the turnout is already 15 per cent before the day of
the election is "pretty significant." (Shane Fowler/CBC)Now that advance polling has ended, eligible voters can either vote at a returning office leading up to the election or at a polling station on election day on Monday, May 11.
Poffenroth said by the time nominations closed on April 10, there were 1,200 candidates across all contests.
“With so many candidates expressing an interest in representing their communities, I hope that … those who live in their communities have the same impetus to get out and vote and help shape the direction for their communities for the next four years,” Poffenroth said.
Poffenroth said that every day since voting began on April 20, returning offices saw about 200 people there to vote.
Advance voting for N.B. municipal elections suggests voter engagement is upPoffenroth said, for her, this election is going to be the benchmark for what voter turnout will look like for municipal elections under the new municipal governance structure. This, she said, is because only brand new municipalities or ones that grew by a significant number of people had byelections in 2022.
Generally, Poffenroth said municipal government turnout is around 30 per cent of eligible voters, so the fact that the turnout is already 15 per cent before the day of the election is “pretty significant.”
“Looking at the crystal ball, one could make the assumption that perhaps voter turnout is going to be higher in this election," she said.
Still, Poffenroth said engagement with municipal elections and voter turnout varies significantly across the province.
She said that voters can present at any of the 18 returning officers across the province this week. And on election day, if someone is in line to vote at a polling station when the polls close at 8 p.m., they will still be allowed to vote.
However, there’s a loophole in the legislation that makes it so voting at returning offices must stop at 8 p.m., so people still in line at returning offices at the time will not be able to vote.
Poffenroth said for people voting later on election day, it is safer to go to a polling station than a returning office for this reason.
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Moncton mayoral candidates say public safety, homelessness top issues
4 in race to lead New Brunswick's largest city
Four candidates to be Moncton's next mayor say public safety and homelessness are their top issues.
Shawn Crossman, Charles Léger, Jeffrey McCluskey and Brian Murphy are running in the May 11 election to lead the province's largest city.
It's a city that has seen explosive growth. Its population crossed the 100,000 mark last year, up more than 20,000 from when the current council's term began in 2021.
It has coincided with growing challenges. The city has spent millions trying to address homelessness, but hundreds of people remain without a home, and the number keeps rising.
Residents and businesses have voiced alarm about crime and drug use.
The election will significantly change the 11-member council table. Six seats have no incumbent. In Moncton, the mayor routinely votes. The person in that job is paid a salary of $103,451.
Shawn
Crossman, Charles Léger, Jeffrey McCluskey and Brian Murphy are running
in the May 11 election to lead the province's largest city. (Shane Magee/CBC)The four mayoral candidates spoke to Information Morning Moncton recently about their top priorities.
"I would definitely say it's public safety as the top issue and I would have thought the homelessness issue, the people security, is the second issue, but I think they're combined," Murphy said. He has pledged to see more police officers hired.
Murphy, a practising lawyer, is seeking to return to the mayor's office. He was a councillor between 1992 and 1998, and mayor from 1998 to 2004. Murphy was a Liberal MP representing the Moncton area from 2006 to 2011.
Crossman said he wants to look at enforcement.
"I've got to obviously take a stance on policing and public safety within the community, because what we're seeing now is something that is not working," Crossman said. "What we're seeing is petty theft getting out of control."
Crossman is self-employed in sales and marketing. He was first elected to council in 2012, serving three terms representing Ward 1, which includes part of downtown, Elmwood Drive and the east end. His father, Norm Crossman, had also represented the area on council.
Léger also said he hears a lot about public safety.
"We hear a lot about homelessness, visible homelessness," Léger said. "I hear a lot about a lack of co-ordination. Certainly, we need to do a better job with our downtown. But I also hear too, that people want the next mayor and council to focus on the economy."
Léger has worked in sales, marketing and management in the pharmaceutical industry. He has served three terms on council representing Ward 2, which includes part of downtown and the west end.
He was previously chair of the Codiac Regional Policing Authority board overseeing Codiac RCMP.
McCluskey, the only one running who hasn't previously served on council, said his top issue is addressing homelessness.
"It's wrapped around the security, the safety of the city, although not all homeless are drug addicts - they're not - and we need to deal with it," McCluskey said.
McCluskey ran for the provincial Green Party in 2014.
Three of the four say the city should again look at establishing a municipal police force.
Moncton's police force was disbanded by the province in the late 90s, while Murphy was mayor, and councils have twice examined creating a new force.
"I would be absolutely in favour of at least reviewing the idea of going back to your municipal police force for cost reasons and coverage reasons," Murphy said.
Crossman said a municipal force could allow more local control than with the RCMP.
McCluskey said he thinks a Moncton-Dieppe-Riverview police force would have a greater connection than the RCMP, which can see officers brought from elsewhere or relocated.
"They don't form a bond with people, not to the same level," McCluskey said.
Léger said he wants a hybrid approach with RCMP and municipal officers, who would handle less serious crime.
The outgoing council narrowly voted in 2024 to keep the Codiac Regional RCMP after a report suggested the cost to switch could be $73.5 million over 15 years. Crossman and Léger voted against that motion.
The contract with the RCMP ends in 2032. It allows either party to withdraw from the agreement by providing two years notice.
Crossman, Murphy and Léger say they want a new convention centre in the city to attract larger events.
Moncton carried out a convention centre feasibility study in 2023 in conjunction with a company's plan to redevelop land near Downing Street, an area where the city has also considered moving its market. The results of the study have not been made public.
The city's 2026 budget includes $17 million for "downtown facilities" which could be used for a market relocation or new convention centre.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Information Morning Moncton
Public safety dominates discourse as Fredericton set to elect new mayor
Jenica Atwin, Coun. Steven Hicks, John Reid in race to replace Mayor Kate Rogers
Public safety is dominating the campaign discourse ahead of a municipal election in Fredericton that has three candidates vying to replace outgoing Mayor Kate Rogers.
Running in the mayoral race are Jenica Atwin, a two-term member of parliament for the region, Coun. Steven Hicks, a probation officer who's served on council since 2008, and John Reid, a retired carpenter and construction supervisor.
According to Atwin and Hicks, public safety has dominated the conversations they've had with voters while attending events and canvassing neighbourhoods.
"It's really unlike other recent municipal elections in Fredericton because I think of the top of mind concern about public safety," said Jamie Gillies, a political scientist and professor at St. Thomas University.
Campaigns
in Fredericton's upcoming municipal election have centred largely
around the issue of public safety, a sign of the growing pains the city
has endured in the last five years, said Jamie Gillies, a political
scientist and professor at St. Thomas University. (Mike Heenan/CBC)"So I think what we're seeing here is Fredericton, a very small city in sort of 2016 to 2020, has emerged as a city that has big city challenges without big city resources.
"And so whoever's mayor next and, and on council next, has to deal with those sort of steadily increasing concerns from the public and what they'd like to see done."
On improving public safety
Atwin has said, if elected, her priority would be implementing the recommendations that came out of a task force the city formed with the goal of finding solutions to crime.
Some of the recommendations are within the city's jurisdiction, including adding lights to multi-use trails, installing security cameras at transit stops, increasing police and security presence in business districts, and establishing a dedicated policing unit for petty crime.
However, the vast majority of the other recommendations — many related to housing and health care — fall within the jurisdiction of higher levels of government.
"I think [the recommendations] are very tangible," Atwin said. "I think it also shows how there's a shared responsibility that we're working with our … provincial partner, the [Department of] Social Development, the justice system."
Jenica
Atwin wants to implement the recommendations of a safety task force,
although most of them call for initiatives that go beyond the scope of
what the City of Fredericton is typically responsible for. (Ed Hunter/CBC)Hicks has also acknowledged the link between crime and social issues, and he said the city will need partnerships with the province and community organizations to help solve problems beyond the scope of what the city can deal with.
But in terms of what the city can do, Hicks said, if elected mayor, he would beef up the community safety services unit in hopes of helping the Fredericton Police Force focus on bigger problems.
Formed in 2023, the unit was a response to growing concerns about theft, vandalism and loitering, particularly downtown and along the trail system.
The unit comprises contracted security guards equipped with bylaw enforcement powers.
"We've heard from the business community they feel better with having them in there responding to issues in the downtown. Also along the trail system, we're hearing from residents," Hicks said.
"So there may be an opportunity to expand that. And by doing that, you allow police to focus more on the serious crimes."
Fredericton
Coun. Steven Hicks said he and residents want to know from the province
when work on the Marysville Bridge will finally be finished. (Aidan Cox/CBC)Reid said he thinks part of the answer to making Fredericton safer would be to keep Fredericton Transit buses operating until 2 a.m.
"And then that would help clear up the trails for people leaving the bars headed home," he said.
Another proposal he's put forward is for the city to provide programs that help young people get into the skilled trades.
"It gives them purpose and life, gives them funds to deal with life, and it keeps them off the street," he said.
John
Reid said he thinks extending transit hours of service and offering
programs for youth to enter the trades could help reduce crime. (Cari Blanchard/CBC)Reid is also advocating for the construction of bomb shelters, in part to protect residents against a potential breach of the Mactaquac Dam.
The provincial government assures, however, that the dam is regularly monitored and does not pose a threat to people's safety.
Differing stances on keeping UNB pool open
The candidates have also waded into the years-long debate around a new aquatic centre being built in Fredericton.
While a design has been done, the city hasn't moved ahead with the plans due to a lack of willing funding partners to help pay for the facility, which is estimated to cost up to $81 million.
The
University of New Brunswick originally planned to decommission the Sir
Max Aitken Pool in 2018, but a funding deal with the City of Fredericton
has kept it open since. In March, however, UNB said even more money
would be needed to refurbish the facility's HVAC system. (Fredericton Diving Club) To buy time for the pool's construction, the city agreed in 2018 to help the University of New Brunswick with the cost of maintaining the aging Sir Max Aitken Pool, which currently hosts Fredericton's swimming clubs.
In March, UNB approached council, warning that the facility was in dire shape and in need of an additional $12.9 million over 10 years from the city to help overhaul its HVAC system.
At a March 9 meeting, council avoided making any decision on the request and instead voted to keep having discussions with UNB about the work the facility needed.
Atwin said if she was at the council table, she would have supported UNB's request to help keep the pool open.
"I understand they voted to continue the conversations … but we also see a lot of these decisions kind of getting kicked down the line, which, costs continue to increase as we, you know, extend those timelines," Atwin said.
Hicks said he was pleased with council's recent decision to not accept UNB's proposal.
"My biggest fear with agreeing to that is if we agree to a 10-year agreement with UNB and we put significant millions of dollars in there, then maybe this new pool gets pushed down the road further and further and doesn't begin to happen," Hicks said.
"We need that sense of urgency to get this moving."
Reid said he thinks UNB should keep the Sir Max Aitken Pool open for another 10 years, but without assistance from the city.
Atwin, Hicks and Reid said they support the city constructing a new aquatic centre, but with the caveat that it involve spending from other levels of government as well.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Information Morning Fredericton
Arcadia
| Arcadia | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Position to fill | # Positions to fill | # Candidates | Status |
| Mayor | 1 | 2 | (Election) |
| Councillor Ward 1 | 1 | 1 | (No Election) |
| Councillor Ward 2 | 1 | 2 | (Election) |
| Councillor Ward 3 | 1 | 1 | (No Election) |
| Councillor Ward 4 | 1 | 2 | (Election) |
| Councillor Ward 5 | 1 | 2 | (Election) |
| Councillor Ward 6 | 1 | 1 | (No Election) |
| Arcadia | |
|---|---|
| Name | Optional Contact Information |
| Mayor (1 to elect) | |
| Steve LeBlanc | Email :
steveleblanc4arcadia@gmail.com
http://www.steveleblanc.ca |
| Robert M. Stoney | Email :
stoneyforarcadia@outlook.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587504938059 |
| Councillor Ward 1 (1 to elect) | |
| Tammy Gordon (inc./sort.) (accl.) | Email :
al.tam.1@hotmail.com
|
| Councillor Ward 2 (1 to elect) | |
| Cameron Davidson | Email :
davidson4gagetown@gmail.com
https://facebook.com/davidson4gagetown |
| Allan Luszcz | Telephone : 506-999-5634 Email : allanluszcz@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575361719234 |
| Councillor Ward 3 (1 to elect) | |
| Harry A. Thomson (inc./sort.) (accl.) | Telephone : 506-488-3478 |
| Councillor Ward 4 (1 to elect) | |
| Kalie Dykeman | Telephone : 506-567-0566 Email : KEDYKEMAN@MTA.CA https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574745659315 |
| Steven Sharpe (inc./sort.) | Telephone : 506-871-2250 Email : Steven.Sharpe4Arcadia@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574393437702 |
| Councillor Ward 5 (1 to elect) | |
| Sheila D. Black (inc./sort.) | Email :
sheila.black@gmail.com
|
| James (Jim) Larson | Email :
larsontherightway@gmail.com
|
| Councillor Ward 6 (1 to elect) | |
| Paula Gahan-MaGee (inc./sort.) (accl.) | Telephone : 506-440-5427 Email : Pjnjtdd@gmail.com |
Woodstock
| Woodstock | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Position to fill | # Positions to fill | # Candidates | Status |
| Mayor | 1 | 3 | (Election) |
| Councillor Ward 1 | 1 | 2 | (Election) |
| Councillor Ward 2 | 1 | 2 | (Election) |
| Councillor Ward 3 | 1 | 2 | (Election) |
| Councillor Ward 4 | 4 | 10 | (Election) |
| Councillor Ward 5 | 1 | 3 | (Election) |
| Woodstock | |
|---|---|
| Name | Optional Contact Information |
| Mayor (1 to elect) | |
| Trina Jones (inc./sort.) | Email :
hello@trinaformayor.com
http://trinaformayor.com |
| Noah J. Walton | Email :
n.walton.nb@gmail.com
|
| Jeff Wright | Telephone : 506-324-0637 Email : jlwright222@hotmail.com |
| Councillor Ward 1 (1 to elect) | |
| May Atkinson | Telephone : 506-425-2529 Email : may.atkinson.pc@gmail.com |
| Michael Martin (inc./sort.) | Telephone : 506-325-0006 Email : mmmartin0610@gmail.com |
| Councillor Ward 2 (1 to elect) | |
| Will Belyea (inc./sort.) | Telephone : 506-324-0564 |
| Marlene Hassard | Telephone : 506-650-6568 Email : m.hassard@outlook.com |
| Councillor Ward 3 (1 to elect) | |
| Catherine Anne Davies | Telephone : 506-325-0456 Email : robindown@hotmail.com |
| Scott Dunlop | Telephone : 506-325-8222 Email : scottdunlopward3@gmail.com |
| Councillor Ward 4 (4 to elect) | |
| Ken Anthony | Telephone : 506-612-0752 Email : k.anthony60@icloud.com |
| Jeff Bradbury (inc./sort.) | Telephone : 506-425-3849 Email : firetruck67@icloud.com |
| Norm Brown (inc./sort.) | Telephone : 506-328-1818 Email : normbrown1234@gmail.com |
| John Dolimount | Telephone : 506-324-3098 Email : johndolimount@yahoo.com |
| Laura Gaddas | Telephone : 506-324-3664 Email : lgaddas@live.ca |
| Leslie Ann Hawkes | Email :
murphystella77@gmail.com
|
| Christa McCartney (inc./sort.) | Email :
mccartneychrista@gmail.com
|
| Mark Rogers (inc./sort.) | Telephone : 506-325-9033 Email : markdrogers4@gmail.com |
| Susan L. Ryan | Telephone : 506-612-0537 Email : susan.ryan@outlook.com |
| Arthur Slipp | Telephone : 506-325-8524 Email : arthurslipp@gmail.com |
| Councillor Ward 5 (1 to elect) | |
| Robin Antworth | Telephone : 506-425-4755 Email : robinantworth@hotmail.com |
| Keith Bull | Email :
keith.bull@rogers.com
|
| Lorne Leech (inc./sort.) | Telephone : 506-328-9830 Email : lbleech@nbnet.nb.ca |
JJ (Governor) Carrier Is Running In Canterbury (Ward 4) In Lakeland Ridges In The 2026 N.B. Vote
JJ (Governor) Carrier 
Maple Hills
| Maple Hills | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Position to fill | # Positions to fill | # Candidates | Status |
| Mayor | 1 | 1 | (No Election) |
| Councillor at Large | 2 | 3 | (Election) |
| Councillor Ward 1 | 1 | 1 | (No Election) |
| Councillor Ward 2 | 1 | 1 | (No Election) |
| Councillor Ward 3 | 1 | 2 | (Election) |
| Maple Hills | |
|---|---|
| Name | Optional Contact Information |
| Mayor (1 to elect) | |
| Erica Warren (inc./sort.) (accl.) | Telephone : 506-988-0343 Email : jfwerica@gmail.com |
| Councillor at Large (2 to elect) | |
| Mark Estey (inc./sort.) | Telephone : 506-875-2430 Email : mark.estey@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/esteyatlarge |
| Benyamin (Ben) Jazebizadeh | |
| Eric Murray (inc./sort.) | Telephone : 506-863-8802 Email : ericmurrayrealestate@gmail.com |
| Councillor Ward 1 (1 to elect) | |
| David Gingras (inc./sort.) (accl.) | Telephone : 506-227-4119 Email : David4ward1@gmail.com |
| Councillor Ward 2 (1 to elect) | |
| Chad Martin (inc./sort.) (accl.) | Telephone : 506-866-4598 |
| Councillor Ward 3 (1 to elect) | |
| Erica Bulmer | Email :
ericabulmer@outlook.com
|
| Marc Savoie (inc./sort.) | Telephone : 506-874-1858 Email : acadianvy@gmail.com |
Erica Warren
Mayor Erica Warren lives on farmland her grandparents raised their family on. With the exception of around 6 months, she's lived in Maple Hills her whole life. Her husband, Jason, grew up in Calhoun, NB. They have two boys, ages 15 and 17, who both went to Mountain View School in Irishtown (just like she did).
For 19 years, Erica worked at Armour Transportation Systems where she did a bit of everything. To name a few, she started in dispatch, moved to a Software Implementation Team, then to Process Improvement (where she earned a green belt), and became an Executive Assistant and Fleet Manager. In 2021, she left Armour to start a business with her husband installing commercial interior finish and millwork. They're now a crew of 4 on site and she runs the office.
While campaigning, Erica often heard people say "We live out here for a reason" and "We aren't interested in city living and all that goes with it". Erica agreed with them! Erica has pride in where she lives, and a passion for hard work, in her own words: "I would like to think that, like me and my family before me, my kids will want to stay in Maple Hills too. It’s important that Council ensures any changes are good for the long term as well as the short term."
Mark Estey
Councillor Mark Estey is a devoted family man, supported by his wife Stephanie and their two boys. In his free time, he can often be found cheering on his children during their sports activities.
In 2004, Mark completed his education at Crandall University and later pursued a multi-year Business Essentials program at Western University. Built on a strong academic foundation, he is well-equipped to address the challenges residents may face. “I believe in addressing the community's needs while maintaining a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility.” Says Mark. As the owner of Adams Pest Control and BrightPath Consulting, as well as a Chartered Professional Accountant and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Mark brings a diverse business background to his role. In addition, he has served on multiple Boards of Directors, throughout the years, which further developed his leadership skills.
His journey towards public service began when he participated in a small community action group that fought against the amalgamation of Lutes Mountain into the City of Moncton. In his own words: “Through meetings with the province, petitions, and collective resistance, I witnessed the power of community unity in preserving their identity and way of life. Inspired by this experience, I knew that when the time came, I would seek a position on the council to continue advocating for the interests of Maple Hills.” Mark has a deep appreciation for the rural lifestyle, which is why he’s passionate, dedicated, and honored to be serving the newly formed Maple Hills Community and all its residents.
Eric Murray
Councillor Eric Murray has lived in Irishtown/Maple Hills for most of his life, at 37 years old, he has spent 34 years of his life here in this community.
In April 2017, Eric began his career in Real Estate, and if you keep an eye out, you may be able to spot his face on a billboard in the area! Since 2020, he has devoted his spare time serving the Board for Codiac Storm Lacrosse, as well as assisting the team with coaching. In addition, you can find Eric volunteering around the community in his free time.
As a dedicated long-time resident, he is committed to making Maple Hills the best place to live the rural lifestyle, and you can rest assured that Eric has the residents’ best interest in mind when making decisions with the Council. In his own words: “When I heard about the municipal election, I felt there wasn’t enough information given to residents. As a local, I wanted to represent the people, while making sure they remain informed on what’s going on in their community.”
David Gingras
Deputy Mayor David Gingras is married to long-time Harrison Trimble High School educator and vice-principal, Shelley Gingras. Together they have two young boys, one is attending Harrison Trimble High School and the other is at Magnetic Hill School.
He holds a Master in public administration from Dalhousie University, certificates in local government and business, along with being a graduate of Saint Mary’s University. For nearly a decade, David was a professional writer and researcher with a Moncton-area company. He recently moved on to Employment and Social Development Canada as a Senior Advisor, Internal Communications.
In addition, he is an active participant in several volunteer efforts, including the karate program at the YMCA as one of the program’s volunteer instructors, promoting the importance of active living and discipline in our youth.
When David heard that Lutes Mountain could possibly be amalgamated into the city of Moncton, he played a key role in the campaign to keep parts of Moncton Parish in Maple Hills, successfully arguing with government officials that residents enjoy a certain lifestyle here. “They chose this place over life in the city,” says David.
www.youtube.com/@GingrasForABM-Riding25-NB
|
David Gingras
@GingrasForABM-Riding25-NBDavid Gingras - Sr Analyst, Business Analysis
Chad Martin
Raised in the small community of Dundas on what is now the northern edge of Maple Hills, Councillor Chad Martin considers himself fortunate to have experienced a true rural upbringing. Surrounded by multiple generations of family and friends he was taught at an early age the importance of helping those around you. Like many residents he attended primary and secondary school locally (Mountain View, Sunny Brae, Moncton High) and enjoyed participating in many different sports throughout those years. One key aspect of his personality he takes directly from his local upbringing is his love for the great outdoors and for the people he is able to connect with through related organizations and hobbies.
While attending post-secondary education it became apparent that his passion for helping others was going to be a driving force in his life. He soon focused on Emergency services, Firefighting and Emergency Rescue to be specific, and graduated from the Marine Institute Via Memorial University of Newfoundland. This passion led him to multiple opportunities throughout Canada which include industrial safety and firefighting in the Oilfields as well as time with the Government of Alberta wildland firefighting helicopter attack crews (Helitack). In 2014, he accepted a position with the Moncton Fire Department where Chad continues to serve today. Over the years, he has volunteered with several organizations most of which with the intent to help families in need or help children suffering from injuries/illness.
Supporting Chad in all his endeavours is his better-half Hélène and stepson Noë. Immigrating from France, Hélène recently finished her Degree in Education and is a full-time teacher at a local Elementary school where she is passionate about helping kids succeed.
Residing in the Irishtown area, he is proud to be the council representative for ward two. In his own words: "I see this as an opportunity to not only give back, but to also help shape the future of a community that has given so much to me over the years. I have a strong belief in using common sense decision making, treating all people as equals, and doing things right the first time." It is his hope, that as the newly incorporate area of Maple Hills develops, we are able to maintain our rural way of life while growing in a positive direction to allow opportunities for current and future generations to come.
Marc Savoie
Councillor Marc Savoie grew up in Bas-Caraquet in the Acadian Peninsula, in 1986 he came to Moncton to continue his studies at the Université de Moncton. He later graduated with Bachelor of Arts with a major in Geography and a minor in History. After completing his studies, he moved to Montreal for work and returned to New-Brunswick in the spring of 1995. September of that year he began working at Costco, this year marks his 30th year with them.
For 14 years, Marc has dedicated his time volunteering with the “Scouts du Canada”. He has held a variety of titles during his time from Scout Leader to District Commissioner, to name a few. He is also a proud father of 3 children (now adults).
In 2016, he moved to Lakeville and fell in love with both the region and his spouse, he knew right away that this was home. This is why when the opportunity came to possibly be a part of the very first council of a brand-new municipality, Marc thought “Wow! What an amazing opportunity for learning”. In his own words: “I consider it a privilege to be part of this very first Municipal Council, and I am confident that with the team we have, we will build good things for a great future for Maple Hills.”
Recently, at the Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick (UMNB) Zone 2 meeting in July 2025, Marc was elected as one of three directors representing the zone.
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, May 8, 2026 at 10:04 PM
Subject: Fwd: Response from Public Safety Canada - LEB-001083
To: <ledumac58@gmail.com>, <kevgun27@gmail.com>, <shawn_patterson_1963@live.ca>, <JuneReedBetts@gmail.com>, <lisacosman83@hotmail.com>, <matthew.vandenborre@gmail.com>, <BeverlyGlenn@outlook.com>, <bartcomgroup@yahoo.com>, <cbsmith115@icloud.com>, <shaunwardba@gmail.com>
Grand Lake
| Grand Lake | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Position to fill | # Positions to fill | # Candidates | Status |
| Mayor | 1 | 2 | (Election) |
| Councillor at Large | 1 | 1 | (No Election) |
| Councillor Ward 1 | 1 | 3 | (Election) |
| Councillor Ward 2 | 3 | 3 | Deceased candidate (No Election) |
| Councillor Ward 3 | 1 | 1 | (No Election) |
| Councillor Ward 4 | 2 | 3 | (Election) |
| Grand Lake | |
|---|---|
| Name | Optional Contact Information |
| Mayor (1 to elect) | |
| Peter Dufour | Telephone : 506-327-5472 Email : ledumac58@gmail.com |
| Kevin Nicklin (inc./sort.) | Telephone : 506-327-0463 Email : kevgun27@gmail.com |
| Councillor at Large (1 to elect) | |
| Shawn Patterson (accl.) | Telephone : 902-316-2292 Email : shawn_patterson_1963@live.ca |
| Councillor Ward 1 (1 to elect) | |
| Mark Allen | Telephone : 506-262-4255 Email : JuneReedBetts@gmail.com |
| Lisa-Marie Cosman | Telephone : 506-327-5225 Email : lisacosman83@hotmail.com |
| Matthew Vandenborre | Telephone : 506-261-7112 Email : matthew.vandenborre@gmail.com |
| Councillor Ward 3 (1 to elect) | |
| Gary Glenn (inc./sort.) (accl.) | Telephone : 506-998-5037 Email : BeverlyGlenn@outlook.com |
| Councillor Ward 4 (2 to elect) | |
| Danny J. Barton | Telephone : 506-327-0607 Email : bartcomgroup@yahoo.com |
| Chris (Zam) Smith | Telephone : 506-461-1636 Email : cbsmith115@icloud.com |
| Shaun Ward | Telephone : 506-327-5252 Email : shaunwardba@gmail.com |
RCMP apologize for response to shooting that shocked residents of N.B. community
RCMP brass admit response time was too long for call about man who had been shot
New
Brunswick West District RCMP Insp. Mike Berry, right, apologized to
Municipality of Grand Lake residents for the lack of communication from
the RCMP following a Sept. 1 shooting that left an elderly man seriously
injured. He spoke alongside Supt. Andy LeClair, commander for the RCMP
West District. (Aidan Cox/CBC)Leaders with the RCMP have apologized for the handling of a recent shooting in central New Brunswick, which they now admit took 50 minutes for officers to respond to.
Speaking to a room of at
times frustrated-sounding
They also said they "dropped the ball" by not providing residents with any communication about the incident for three days while they searched for the suspect.
"We dropped the ball, and I'm not going to hide from that," said West District RCMP Insp. Mike Berry.
"We could have done better. We should have done better … and I want to apologize to the community for the grief and the fear that it probably caused you. We should have had something out and we didn't."
Berry made those comments to a room of about 80 people who gathered at the Chipman Community Heritage Centre to voice concerns about the quality of RCMP services in the area.
About
80 people showed up to a town hall meeting held in Chipman on Monday to
give residents the chance to voice their concerns about the quality of
policing from the RCMP. (Aidan Cox/CBC)
The meeting was spurred by the RCMP's response to a call about the shooting outside a home in Gaspereau Forks, which is part of the amalgamated Municipality of Grand Lake, about 80 kilometres northeast of Fredericton.
The RCMP said they believe two people were burglarizing a home when the owner and a 75-year-old man arrived at the scene. An altercation followed, and the elderly man was shot and taken to hospital with serious injuries.
The RCMP have yet to make any arrests in the case.
Officers shared across region
The RCMP divides its officers among the province's 12 regions, said Supt. Andy LeClair, commander for the RCMP's West District. Regional Service Commission 11, which includes Grand Lake, has a complement of 71 officers, he said.
That region includes detachments in Keswick, Oromocto, Nackawic, New Maryland and Minto, which is part of the Municipality of Grand Lake. However, officers from any one detachment can be tasked with responding to calls in the others.
New
Brunswick RCMP brass attended Monday night's town hall meeting,
including, from left, RCMP Chief Supt. Dan Austin, Staff Sgt. Geoff
Peters, Cpl. Matt Traer, acting sergeant for the Minto detachment, and
Insp. Mike Berry. (Aidan Cox/CBC)
Speaking to residents Monday night, LeClair said that operating model resulted in the lengthy wait time for the call in Gaspereau Forks.
"There was a lot going on that evening, but we should have done better in ensuring this side of the community was covered off, because when we did a scrub-down, we realized that people were working out of different detachments, and we didn't have someone working at the Minto detachment," LeClair said.
"There's obviously a huge geography when you're looking at Regional Service Commission 11, but we simply need to do better in reducing those [response] times," he said, while confirming there's no provincial standard for how quickly RCMP officers have to respond to calls.
"But we, in this situation, we could have done better."
More officers incoming
LeClair said the RCMP was already working on at least one change that he thinks will improve response times in the Municipality of Grand Lake.
Thanks to added provincial spending starting last year, the RCMP's total complement of officers went up from 56 to 71, but efforts are still underway to fill all of those positions, LeClair said.
Once that happens, the number of officers assigned to the Minto detachment will go up from eight to 10, he said, "ensuring that we have the structure in place that they can work specifically in the community of ... Grand Lake."
Residents cautiously optimistic
Faith Kennedy attended Monday's town hall meeting over concerns about how long it takes RCMP officers to respond to calls.
She said the 50-minute response time to the shooting doesn't surprise her, and she fears would-be criminals have also caught on to how long it could take officers to respond.
Faith
Kennedy says she's concerned about the lengthy response times by RCMP,
but is hopeful that more officers will make a difference. (Aidan Cox/CBC)
"If anything bad happens, it's very scary," said the Chipman resident.
The RCMP have promised better service in the past, she said, leaving her cautiously optimistic things will change this time.
"It seems to be promising and I hope that they can carry it through and I hope that [an improvement of service] really does happen," she said.
Mayor Kevin Nicklin said he didn't get the answers he was hoping for to his questions on Monday.
He asked the RCMP about their decision not to issue an Alert Ready notification about the shooting, which officials on Monday night defended, saying it didn't meet the threshold.
Nicklin said he was also hoping to hear plans to stop sending officers from the Minto detachment to attend to calls from neighbouring communities.
Still, he said he came away from the meeting feeling somewhat optimistic.
"I'm just hoping they do better in our area, or can improve in our area. That would be the biggest thing for us," he said.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Journalist
Aidan Cox is a journalist for the CBC based in Fredericton. He can be reached at aidan.cox@cbc.ca and followed on Twitter @Aidan4jrn.
RCMP service is 'broke,' says mayor of N.B. town, as dissatisfaction hits boiling point
Residents show up at Grand Lake council meeting to air concerns over quality of policing service
Grand
Lake Mayor Kevin Nicklin told residents this week that he understands
their frustration about the time it takes RCMP to respond to calls. (Aniekan Etuhube/CBC)Dissatisfaction with the quality of service from the RCMP has seemingly reached a boiling point in a central New Brunswick town, in the wake of a recent home invasion that ended with a 75-year-old man being shot.
"I think their system's broke," Grand Lake Mayor Kevin Nicklin said to residents at a council meeting Monday night.
"To me, they're not doing policing anymore. They're doing investigation work."
He added that the few police officers in the community of about 5,80 appear to be too overworked to properly respond to crimes as they're happening.
Residents frustrated
Nicklin's comments reflected frustration shared by the residents who showed up at the meeting.
They voiced concerns about how the RCMP responded to a recent shooting and about a general sense the force is inadequately serving the southern New Brunswick community, which includes the villages of Chipman and Minto.
"We've got people breaking into houses, shooting people, we've got stuff being stolen constantly," said one resident, who didn't introduce herself before addressing council.
"So I'm just kind of getting a little frustrated [because] we have no support from anyone."
Residents
showed up at a Grand Lake council meeting Monday to voice concerns
about what the quality of RCMP service in the southern New Brunswick
community. (Municipality of Grand Lake/Zoom)
The RCMP said officers responded on Sept. 1 to a report of a shooting outside a home in Gaspereau Forks, which is part of the amalgamated Municipality of Grand Lake, about 80 kilometres northeast of Fredericton.
The RCMP said they believe two people were burglarizing a home, when the owner and a 75-year-old man arrived at the scene. An altercation followed, and the elderly man was shot. He was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
As details of the shooting — and the fact no arrests had been made — spread by word of mouth, residents became concerned about a lack of communication from the RCMP about what had happened and whether the public was in danger.
RCMP finally issued a news release online, three days after the incident took place.
No updates, including news of any arrests, have been provided.
News asked the RCMP for an interview about the concerns residents raised on Monday and whether the RCMP are bound by a standard response time for calls.
Instead, Cpl. Hans Ouellette provided a statement, which did not say whether RCMP are required to respond to calls within a certain timeframe.
As for staffing, Ouellette said, the force has filled 43 of 51 new front-line officer positions for New Brunswick, for which the provincial government provided funding for over two years starting in 2023.
RCMP
Cpl. Hans Ouellette says the force is working to fill all the new
positions for front-line officers, adding there are always enough
officers to respond to urgent priority calls. (Pat Richard/CBC)
Ouellette said the RCMP expects to hire the other eight front-line officers by the end of next year.
Once that is done, Regional Service Commission 11, which includes Grand Lake, will have 15 new officers, bringing the total complement up to 58.
Ouellette said those 58 officers would be split between detachments in Minto, Keswick, Nackawic, New Maryland and Oromocto, but he didn't say exactly how many would be stationed at each.
"Citizens can rest assured that there are always enough RCMP police officers and operators to respond to urgent priority calls, and to ensure officer and public safety, as RCMP resources can be shared throughout the [regional service commission] and provincially if necessary," Ouellette said.
Response time questioned
Residents on Monday peppered Nicklin with questions about what he knew about the RCMP's response on Sep. 1, and whether anything would be done in response to it.
Some attendees alleged the police took an hour to respond to the call about the shooting.
Nicklin said he asked the RCMP for that information, but they declined to share it with him.
"I would prefer that they [RCMP] were here to answer these questions themselves, obviously," Nicklin said.
"I have fought with them tooth and nail over it. I went so far as to suggest to them that we side with the Fredericton police and pay them the fees because they would be easier to deal with."
Concerns brought to minister
Nicklin said he's already raised concerns with Public Safety Minister Kris Austin, who is also the MLA for the area.
Nicklin said Austin told him his government would work to have 11 RCMP officers stationed specifically at the Minto detachment, which Nicklin said currently has two officers attached to it.
However, the timeline for getting those officers in Minto was unknown because of hiring challenges, Nicklin said.
CBC News asked for an interview with Austin about what standard RCMP officers are held to when it comes to response times in rural communities, and what he planned to do to address residents' dissatisfaction with their service.
In a statement to CBC News, Austin did not say whether RCMP are required to respond to calls within a certain timeframe.
But he said he's concerned about crime in the community, which he said is the reason his government spent more money for new officers.
"I believe rural regions will see a noticeable change in police presence with this injection of these additional RCMP officers," he said.
Under a 20-year contract, RCMP provide policing in areas of the province where there is no municipal police force.
Municipalities pay part of the cost, which for Grand Lake is about $1 million a year, Nicklin said.
However, he's just the latest mayor to complain in recent years about not getting the desired level of service from the RCMP.
Nicklin said he invited members of the RCMP to Monday's council meeting, but they declined.
In response to comments by residents, he said he would go back to the RCMP, as well as to Austin, to ask them to attend a town hall meeting to discuss residents' concerns.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Journalist
Aidan Cox is a journalist for the CBC based in Fredericton. He can be reached at aidan.cox@cbc.ca and followed on Twitter @Aidan4jrn.
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
104 Comments
“September 11th, 2004
Dear Mr. Amos,
On behalf of Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson,
I acknowledge receipt of two sets of documents and CD regarding corruption,
one received from you directly, and the other forwarded to us by the Office of
the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick.
I regret to inform you that the Governor General cannot intervene in
matters that are the responsibility of elected officials and courts of Justice of
Canada. You already contacted the various provincial authorities regarding
your concerns, and these were the appropriate steps to take.
Yours sincerely.
Renee Blanchet
Office of the Secretary
to the Governor General”
"Nicklin said he invited members of the RCMP to Monday's council meeting, but they declined.
In response to comments by residents, he said he would go back to the RCMP, as well as to Austin, to ask them to attend a town hall meeting to discuss residents' concerns."
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
Perhaps we should begin with this dude
September 4, 2024
Gaspereau Forks, New Brunswick
UPDATE:
The file regarding the firearm incident that occurred in Gaspereau
Forks, near Chipman, N.B. on September 1, 2024, has been transferred to
the West District RCMP's Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) and remains under
active investigation. #RCMPNB is urging the public remain vigilant and
to keep forwarding tips that could help identify the two suspects
involved in this incident. The RCMP believe this to be an isolated
incident and there is no ongoing risk to the public.
Anyone who has information about the suspects or the incident is asked to contact the New Brunswick RCMP at 888-506-RCMP (7267).
Contact information
Sgt. Mark Blakely
Crime Reduction Unit
West District RCMP
888-506-7267
David Amos
"Nicklin said he asked the RCMP for that information, but they declined to share it with him.
"I would prefer that they [RCMP] were here to answer these questions themselves, obviously," Nicklin said.
"I
have fought with them tooth and nail over it. I went so far as to
suggest to them that we side with the Fredericton police and pay them
the fees because they would be easier to deal with."
Too Too Funny
Higgs government rules out provincial police force to replace RCMP
Minister says transition would take a decade and cost would be ‘extremely high’
Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Apr 13, 2023 3:53 PM ADT
Daniel Franklin
Higgs too busy helping corporate citizens to help the rest of us.
David Amos
Reply to Daniel Franklin
Oh So True
James Risdon
The men and women of our police forces do a thankless and dangerous job and deserve our respect and support.
If
they are understaffed, it is incumbent on us to get them more officers
and administrative staff so they can do what needs to be done.
But,
let's be clear: no police officer, no matter how good, is a psychic who
can prevent all crimes from happening beforehand. Police can only
respond to crimes and do their jobs when they have the support of the
community.
David Amos
Reply to James Risdon
Say Hey to the cops for me will ya?
Tim Trites
Reply to James Risdon
don't know what "thankless" means, but if they are overstaffed and just not doing their job???...then what
Tim Trites
Reply to James Risdon
don't know what "thankless" means, but if they are adequately staffed or over staffed...then what?
Tim Trites
Reply to Tim Trites
first one dint show up
Gary Webber
We
had 7 RCMP officers living and working in chipman in the seventies now
we have none, minto has 2, 30 minutes away, free picking for criminals.
MR Cain
Reply to Gary Webber
Amalgamation means Minto and Chipman now have 2 RCMP officers.
David Amos
Reply to Gary Webber
I remember those days
Gary Webber
Reply to David Amos
It was hard to drive through Chipman as a teenager because the mounties didn't have anything to do, now if you call no one shows
Gary Webber
Reply to MR Cain
No minto has 2 Chipman has none.
Forced amalgamation thanks to Austin and Higgs
James Risdon
Reply to Gary Webber
Communications
and surveillance equipment in the 1970s was primitive compared to what
exists now. You can't make a direct comparison like that. The tools to
do the job have changed and so has the population.
Gary Webber
Reply to James Risdon
This is true about technology but a mounty in a cruiser trumps technology every day.
Trevor Schulz
Reply to James Risdon
A man was shot during a B&E. No arrests, no suspects. Communications and surveillance equipment was no help there.
MR Cain
Reply to Gary Webber
No, amalgamation means there are 2.
MR Cain
You
can have all the cops you want, but they can only respond if a crime is
being or has been committed. Maybe a little attention to improving the
social issues and rehab. Research shows that going to jail can elevate
your risk of criminal activity once you're released, relative to
diverting you into community-based sentences that include access to
intervention.
David Amos
Reply to MR Cain
Yea Right
Rob En
If
the feds come to you and tell you about some service there going to
provide its going to be a disaster.. if they want a help send a chq and
stay in Ottawa.
David Amos
Reply to Rob En
The Feds asked me for my help long before the Charter existed
Gerrit Lafleur
He's not wrong .
Since 2015 .
David Amos
Reply to Gerrit Lafleur
Talk to Louis Riel's ghost
William Peters
Everyone
is presumed innocent before a crime takes place, unfortunately. The
RCMP are responders. You call them after someone get shot. About the
only time they get involved preemptively is by ticketing individuals
when they even bother doing that. A large part of the job is collective
facts for insurers. In that role they serve a business rationale.
Sandra Boudreau
Reply to William Peters
If
more people would pass on the info they have to the hotline, instead of
gossiping amongst themselves, the police might have a better idea of
who to watch and who they are looking for.
David Amos
Reply to William Peters
True
Bob Louie
You
get what you pay for. If you insist on trying to cheap out on policing,
this is what happens. If you live in a rural area, you can't expect big
city call response standards. (usually under 10 minutes for a priorty 1
call)
David Amos
Reply to Bob Louie
Are you a cop?
Steph Roche
Grand Lake sounds like a place that nobody would want to live.
5,800 people with a serious crime problem!
they must know most of the criminals
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Steph Roche
I dare you to come here and say such things
June Arnott
We
are paying for a service that doesn’t deliver all over NB and no one
cares to fix it. All words and no action. RCMP are not community
oriented unfortunately. Shows with the response in how the do t have to
respond within a timeframe…what?! Sickening
Bob Louie
Reply to June Arnott
Are
you prepared to pay for at least 2 cops to be in each village 24/7? If
not they get there when they can. In a city, the standard for a priority
one call is usally under 10 minutes. Standards for rural areas are not
common as there are too many variables.
David Amos
Reply to June Arnott
I agree
Dan Lee
Reply to Bob Louie
are
my taxes not same as yours......is differant in a city auto
theft............do you speed over 30 in a city ........so drug pushers
are more important in a city.........i seeee
Matt Steele
The RCMP in
rural areas can't really be blamed as they can't be everywhere at once
as the rural patrol areas are quite large , and most criminal acts are
finished within 10 minutes or less . The blame really falls at the feet
of the Federal government , and the Court system , and their soft on
crime approach . The Federal government has been actively disarming the
Canadian population with endless gun control and firearm prohibitions ,
so many rural folks are no longer able to defend themselves with the
Federal government claiming that the police will handle everything . As
the old saying goes , " seconds count when the police are minutes away "
. Add in the very light sentences given for property crime , and the
deterrence factor for theft is gone .
June Arnott
Reply to Matt Steele
Lets use Riverview NB. Not rural and no service
Ralph Linwood
Reply to Matt Steele
Our gun laws are fine. No rural folks need to "defend" themselves with firearms.
Matt Steele
Reply to Ralph Linwood
Tell
that to the 75 year old Senior mentioned in the story who was seriously
injured during a violent home invasion ; he may think differently .
Ralph Linwood
Reply to Matt Steele
Regardless, you only have to look south to see how more guns DO NOT make a society safer.
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Linwood
So you say Deja Vu Anyone???
https://www.cbc.ca/news/
David Amos
Reply to June Arnott
Amen
Trevor Schulz
Reply to David Amos
Class hero.
David Amos
Reply to Trevor Schulz
What are you?
Trevor Schulz
Reply to David Amos
Not sure I understand the question.
David Amos
Reply to Trevor Schulz
Yea Right
Ralph Linwood
Reply to David Amos
Nothing you own is worth a person's life.
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Linwood
What if my children were threatened and the cops were laughing at me?
Reply to Ralph Linwood
Reply to Ralph Linwood
Her Majesty the Queen’s servants the RCMP whose mandate is to serve and protect Canadian citizens and assist in the security of parliamentary properties and the protection of public officials should not deny a correspondence from a former Deputy Prime Minister who was appointed to be Canada’s first Minister of Public Safety in order to oversee the RCMP and their cohorts. The letter that helped to raise the ire of a fellow Canadian citizen who had never voted in his life to run for public office seven times thus far is quoted as follows:
“Mr. David R. Amos Jan 3rd, 2004
153Alvin Avenue
Milton, MA U.S.A. 02186
Dear Mr. Amos
Thank you for your letter of November 19th, 2003, addressed to
my predecessor, the Honourble Wayne Easter, regarding your safety.
I apologize for the delay in responding.
If you have any concerns about your personal safety, I can only
suggest that you contact the police of local jurisdiction. In addition, any
evidence of criminal activity should be brought to their attention since the
police are in the best position to evaluate the information and take action
as deemed appropriate.
I trust that this information is satisfactory.
Yours sincerely
A. Anne McLellan”
Lee Bronson
At this point, we all recognize that anything touched by the Feds has turned to nada.
Steph Roche
Reply to Lee Bronson
at this point, most people, are aware that the RCMP in a municipality or province are contracted and are not fed governed.
Matt Steele
Reply to Steph Roche
The
Federal government controls changes to the Criminal Code of Canada ,
and the CCC , sentencing , and drug laws have been weakened numerous
times over the past 9 years by the current Federal government .
David Amos
Reply to Steph Roche
Dream on
Tom Campbell
Reply to Lee Bronson
provincial and municipal contracts are with the provinces and the municipalities.
David Webb
Reply to Steph Roche
The
RCMP Commissioner would likely disagree with you they are not federal
governed. Yes the various locations are contracted to provide policing,
however like everything else they don't have the staff to provide
service even when the funds have been allocated. It's in the story.
David Webb
Reply to Tom Campbell
Yes
the various locations are contracted to provide policing, however like
everything else they don't have the staff to provide service even when
the funds have been allocated. It's in the story.
Steph Roche
Reply to Matt Steele
rcmp contracted to a municipality or province serve the laws of that jurisdiction.
this has been in the news many times
Steph Roche
Reply to David Webb
numbers of officers are part of the contract
David Webb
Reply to Steph Roche
Your point?
Steph Roche
Reply to David Webb
you cannot say this is a fed issue if the municipality contracts for too few cops
James Johnstone
The
same problem is happening in Moncton. The RCMP may or may not show up
after a crime is committed. Lately they seem to pass the buck to By-law
Control Officers. Traffic law enforcement is non-existent, theft is
rampant and the amount of serious crime is increasing daily.
Bob Louie
Reply to James Johnstone
Why
do police need to make a house call for every reported crime? It's a
waste of time to show up and confirm that your bike is gone. You can and
should talk to your neighbours and see if they saw anything.
As for traffic enforcement, it's usually the first thing to go when there are not enough police in the contract.
In
fact, both the crime rate and the crime severity in Moncton went down
between 2022 and 2023. See Stats Canada -Police-reported Crime Severity
Index and crime rate, by census metropolitan area, 2023
Steph Roche
Content Deactivated
Reply to Bob Louie
Bob.
why are you doing this. [are we supposed to put a question mark at the end of a rhetorical question?]
the inclusion of facts is not consistent with the intent of the author of this article.
Bob Louie
Reply to James Johnstone
:)
David Amos
Reply to Bob Louie
Methinks everybody knows that I enjoy reading rhetorical questions N'esy Pas?
Robert Brannen
Reply to James Johnstone
What
is one to expect, other than that, in a province in which the
provincial government has been running a Facebook video counseling
motorists to defy clause 156.1 of the Motor Vehicle Act since early in
2022.
MR Cain
Reply to Robert Brannen
Yield the right of way does not mean stop; zipper well ahead of the lane ending. Not an issue.
Robert Brannen
Reply to MR Cain
The
zipper merge is a move recommended for sites where a lane is
obstructed, thus the cones in the video. A lane is not obstructed in the
case of one lane ending, and the other lane being designated as the
continuous lane.
The lane ends sign has replaced the former yield sign.
MR Cain
Reply to Robert Brannen
The zipper merge can occur on highways at high
speed, from a passing lane to a chicane, or on an urban road at slower
speed, wherein drivers are courteous. A rule of thumb is to never assume
the other drivers know how to drive. Always signal your intention. The
video can be criticized for not showing vehicles spaced well apart, and
nor does it show the speed nor all the possible scenarios.
If the term "zipper merge" is not within the Act it is not allowed, and especially so in the case of a lane ending.
MR Cain
Reply to Robert Brannen
So when you see a merger sign, what are you
supposed to do? Maybe go out and remove them all? It is a simple method
to keep the traffic moving.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Reply to MR Cain
Daniel Henwell
The
problem with them (RCMP) is they aren't accountable to anybody. Mayors
and local government officials should be able to get an answer from them
but they turn a deaf ear and say "we can't disclose this information".
Bob Louie
Reply to Daniel Henwell
Mayors
get briefed all the time but like everyone else Privacy laws and the
need to protect the integrity of the investigation prevent any elected
official or the media from being told everything. This is not the US.
David Amos
Reply to Bob Louie
Yea Right
Jon Lewis
Grand Lake Policing Costs: $1,000,000 per 5800 people = $170 per person
Fredericton Policing Cost: $29,900,000 per 65,000 people = $460 per person
You get what you pay for I guess?
Bob Louie
Reply to Jon Lewis
And Grand Lake folks are only paying for 70% of the costs. The Feds pay for the other 30%.
David Amos
Reply to Jon Lewis
Think again
Dan Lee
Reply to Bob Louie
and how many subsidies does the cities receive
John Clarke
The Mayor of Grand Lake is bang on "the system is broken" I had a 25 year career in
law
enforcement and was Chief of Police in Nackawic, Sussex and Sackville.
All covered in the day by local Town/Municipal police personnel and all
served 100 per cent effectively. 24/7 Not so now. No coverage after 2AM
and token service by the RCMP. They openly have claimed they do not have
the people to fill positions in detachments and have also said they do
not have people to enforce traffic laws on the highways. Shane on the
provincial government for letting this happen. When Jane Barry and her
gang forced the local towns and villages to forgo the local police
forces for the RCMP the downward spiral started. Woodstock Town Council
stood firm and kept the local force and the rest of the province can
look at this Town with awe and envy. I bet the people and politicians
wish they could rewind the video and stand up to this travesty. The City
of Moncton recently looked into replacing the RCMP with a City Force
but too much money to do this now or so we hear. The Province can change
this but it will taken intestinal fortitude and I don't know if that
term is used in the halls of the legislature today. Put the RCMP back in
detachments in Chipman, Gagetown, Blacks Harbour, St George etc.
Centralization of police services is a bust and failure. The new CO of
the RCMP probably is aware of this and I bet if she had the money and
the political wherewithal would change things.
Bob Louie
Reply to John Clarke
It's
all about the budget that the province gives the RCMP. If you are
willing to pay more in taxes, you will get better coverage. The
regionalization was meant to save money as the province was not willing
to pay for 24/7 coverage via separate detachments in each village.
David Amos
Reply to John Clarke
I bet you remember me
David Amos
Reply to John Clarke
Do you know this dude?
https://www.cbc.ca/news/
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to David Amos
How about this guy?
https://www.thecanadafiles.
Kat Jo
Reply to John Clarke
There is no law on the highways! Out of
province vehicles driving at 140 km/hr or higher, truckers on their cell
phones and drivers passing on the right... I'm taking the back roads
away from the people who drive through our province as quickly as they
can.
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Date: Fri, May 1, 2026 at 10:01 PM
Subject: Fwd: Response from Public Safety Canada - LEB-001083
To: <Theprodigalson77@gmail.com>, <thornenm@gmail.com>, <gmilner@nbnet.nb.ca>, <R.Pearson2026@gmail.com>, <dholder@nb.sympatico.ca>, <giselemcknight@gmail.com>, <1967asnyder@gmail.com>, <joannejcummings@gmail.com>, <leeanngraham30@gmail.com>
----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: "McKnight, Gisele" McKnight.Gisele@kingscorecord.
> > > > To: lcampenella@ledger.com
> > > > Cc:motomaniac_02186@hotmail.
> > > Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2005 2:53 PM
> > > > Subject: David Amos
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > Hello Lisa,
> > > > > David Amos asked me to contact you. I met him last June after he
> > became
> > > an
> > > > > independent (not representing any political party) candidate in our
> > > > federal
> > > > > election that was held June 28.
> > > > >
> > > > > He was a candidate in our constituency of Fundy (now called
> > > Fundy-Royal).
> > > > I
> > > > > wrote a profile story about him, as I did all other candidates. That
> > > story
> > > > > appeared in the Kings County Record June 22. A second story, written
> > by
> > > > one
> > > > > of my reporters, appeared on the same date, which was a report on
> the
> > > > > candidates' debate held June 18.
> > > > >
> > > > > As I recall David Amos came last of four candidates in the election.
> > The
> > > > > winner got 14,997 votes, while Amos got 358.
> > > > >
> > > > > I have attached the two stories that appeared, as well as a photo
> > taken
> > > by
> > > > > reporter Erin Hatfield during the debate. I couldn't find the photo
> > that
> > > > > ran, but this one is very similar.
> > > > >
> > > > > Gisele McKnight
> > > > > editor A1-debate A1-amos,David for MP 24.doc debate
2.JPG
> > > > > Kings County Record
> > > > > Sussex, New Brunswick
> > > > > Canada
> > > > > 506-433-1070
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
Raising a Little Hell- Lively Debate Provokes Crowd
By Erin Hatfield
"If you don't like what you got, why don't you change it? If your world is all screwed up, rearrange it."
The 1979 Trooper song Raise a Little Hell blared on the speakers at the 8th Hussars Sports Center Friday evening as people filed in to watch the Fundy candidates debate the issues. It was an accurate, if unofficial, theme song for the debate.
The crowd of over 200 spectators was dwarfed by the huge arena, but as they chose their seats, it was clear the battle lines were drawn. Supporters of Conservative candidate Rob Moore naturally took the blue chairs on the right of the rink floor while John Herron's Liberalswent left. There were splashes of orange, supporters of NDP Pat Hanratty, mixed throughout. Perhaps the loudest applause came from a row towards the back, where supporters of independent candidate David Amos sat.
The debate was moderated by Leo Melanson of CJCW Radio and was organized by the Sussex Valley Jaycees. Candidates wereasked a barrage of questions bypanelists Gisele McKnight of the Kings County Record and Lisa Spencer of CJCW.
Staying true to party platforms for the most part, candidates responded to questions about the gun registry, same sex marriage, the exodus of young people from the Maritimes and regulated gas prices. Herron and Moore were clear competitors,constantly challenging each other on their answers and criticizing eachothers’ party leaders. Hanratty flew under the radar, giving short, concise responses to the questions while Amos provided some food for thought and a bit of comic relief with quirky answers. "I was raised with a gun," Amos said in response to the question of thenational gun registry. "Nobody's getting mine and I'm not paying 10 cents for it."
Herron, a Progressive Conservative MP turned Liberal, veered from his party'splatform with regard to gun control. "It was ill advised but well intentioned," Herron said. "No matter what side of the house I am on, I'm voting against it." Pat Hanratty agreed there were better places for the gun registry dollars to be spent.Recreational hunters shouldn't have been penalized by this gun registry," he said.
The gun registry issues provoked the tempers of Herron and Moore. At one point Herron got out of his seat and threw a piece of paper in front of Moore. "Read that," Herron said to Moore, referring to the voting record of Conservative Party leader Steven Harper. According to Herron, Harper voted in favour of the registry on the first and second readings of the bill in 1995. "He voted against it when it counted, at final count," Moore said. "We needa government with courage to register sex offenders rather than register the property of law abiding citizens."
The crowd was vocal throughout the evening, with white haired men and women heckling from the Conservative side. "Shut up John," one woman yelled. "How can you talk about selling out?" a man yelled whenHerron spoke about his fear that the Conservatives are selling farmers out.
Although the Liberal side was less vocal, Kings East MLA Leroy Armstrong weighed in at one point. "You’re out of touch," Armstrong yelled to Moore from the crowd when the debate turned to the cost of post-secondary education. Later in the evening Amos challenged Armstrong to a public debate of their own. "Talk is cheap. Any time, anyplace," Armstrong responded.
As the crowd made its way out of the building following the debate, candidates worked the room. They shook hands with well-wishers and fielded questions from spectators-all part of the decision-making process for the June 28 vote.
Cutline – David Amos, independent candidate in Fundy, with some of his favourite possessions—motorcycles.
McKnight/KCR
The Unconventional Candidate
David Amos Isn’t Campaigning For Your Vote, But….
By Gisele McKnight
FUNDY—He has a pack of cigarettes in his shirt pocket, a chain on his wallet, a beard at least a foot long, 60 motorcycles and a cell phone that rings to the tune of "Yankee Doodle."
Meet the latest addition to the Fundy ballot—David Amos.
The independent candidate lives in Milton, Massachusetts with his wife and two children, but his place of residence does not stop him from running for office in Canada.
One has only to be at least 18, a Canadian citizen and not be in jail to meet Elections Canada requirements.
When it came time to launch his political crusade, Amos chose his favourite place to do so—Fundy.
Amos, 52, is running for political office because of his dissatisfaction with politicians.
"I’ve become aware of much corruption involving our two countries," he said. "The only way to fix corruption is in the political forum."
The journey that eventually led Amos to politics began in Sussex in 1987. He woke up one morning disillusioned with life and decided he needed to change his life.
"I lost my faith in mankind," he said. "People go through that sometimes in midlife."
So Amos, who’d lived in Sussex since 1973, closed his Four Corners motorcycle shop, paid his bills and hit the road with Annie, his 1952 Panhead motorcycle.
"Annie and I rode around for awhile (three years, to be exact) experiencing the milk of human kindness," he said. "This is how you renew your faith in mankind – you help anyone you can, you never ask for anything, but you take what they offer."
For those three years, they offered food, a place to sleep, odd jobs and conversation all over North America.
Since he and Annie stopped wandering, he has married, fathered a son and a daughter and become a house-husband – Mr. Mom, as he calls himself.
He also describes himself in far more colourful terms—a motorcyclist rather than a biker, a "fun-loving, free-thinking, pig-headed individual," a "pissed-off Maritimer" rather than an activist, a proud Canadian and a "wild colonial boy."
Ironically, the man who is running for office has never voted in his life.
"But I have no right to criticize unless I offer my name," he said. "It’s alright to bitch in the kitchen, but can you walk the walk?"
Amos has no intention of actively campaigning.
"I didn’t appreciate it when they (politicians) pounded on my door interrupting my dinner," he said. "If people are interested, they can call me. I’m not going to drive my opinions down their throats."
And he has no campaign budget, nor does he want one.
"I won’t take any donations," he said. "Just try to give me some. It’s not about money. It goes against what I’m fighting about."
What he’s fighting for is the discussion of issues – tainted blood, the exploitation of the Maritimes’ gas and oil reserves and NAFTA, to name a few.
"The political issues in the Maritimes involve the three Fs – fishing, farming and forestry, but they forget foreign issues," he said. "I’m death on NAFTA, the back room deals and free trade. I say chuck it (NAFTA) out the window.
NAFTA is the North American Free Trade Agreement which allows an easier flow of goods between Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Amos disagrees with the idea that a vote for him is a wasted vote.
"There are no wasted votes," he said. "I want people like me, especially young people, to pay attention and exercise their right. Don’t necessarily vote for me, but vote."
Although…if you’re going to vote anyway, Amos would be happy to have your X by his name.
"I want people to go into that voting booth, see my name, laugh and say, ‘what the hell.’"
Sussex
| Sussex | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Position to fill | # Positions to fill | # Candidates | Status |
| Mayor | 1 | 3 | (Election) |
| Councillor at Large | 3 | 4 | (Election) |
| Councillor Ward 1 | 2 | 4 | (Election) |
| Councillor Ward 2 | 2 | 4 | (Election) |
| Sussex | |
|---|---|
| Name | Optional Contact Information |
| Mayor (1 to elect) | |
| Sonja Davis Carhart | |
| Tim Hutchinson | Telephone : 506 567-8567 Email : Theprodigalson77@gmail.com |
| Marc Thorne (inc./sort.) | Email :
thornenm@gmail.com
|
| Councillor at Large (3 to elect) | |
| Fred B. Brenan (inc./sort.) | Telephone : 506 433 0370 Email : fredbrenan@gmail.com |
| Graham A. Milner (inc./sort.) | Email :
gmilner@nbnet.nb.ca
https://www.gamilner.ca/ |
| Richard Pearson | Email :
R.Pearson2026@gmail.com
|
| Tim Wilson (inc./sort.) | Telephone : 506 512-1390 Email : thimothyw@gmail.com |
| Councillor Ward 1 (2 to elect) | |
| Danny Holder | Telephone : 506 434 3005 Email : dholder@nb.sympatico.ca |
| Paul Ivan Maguire (inc./sort.) | Telephone : 506 512-0453 Email : pandlmaguire@gmail.com |
| Gisele E. McKnight | Email :
giselemcknight@gmail.com
|
| Ann-Marie Snyder | Telephone : 506 961 3682 Email : 1967asnyder@gmail.com |
| Councillor Ward 2 (2 to elect) | |
| Doug Bobbitt (inc./sort.) | Telephone : 506-434-1294 Email : bobdugit@gmail.com https://facebook.com/doug. |
| Joanne Cummings | Telephone : 5064350209 Email : joannejcummings@gmail.com |
| Catherine MacLeod (inc./sort.) | Telephone : 506 433.0585 Email : cjmcld@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/ |
| Leeann Nichol | Email : leeanngraham30@gmail.com |
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2024 14:14:58 -0400
Subject: Fwd: Response from Public Safety Canada - LEB-001083 /
Réponse de Sécurité Publique Canada - LEB-001083
To: ps.ministerofpublicsafety-
sjpfnews@saintjohn.ca, police.commission@saintjohn.ca
greg.norton@saintjohn.ca, charles@bryantnb.ca,
michael.costello@
Cc: pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, "pierre.poilievre" <pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Minister of Public Safety / Ministre de la Sécurité publique
(PS/SP)" <ps.ministerofpublicsafety-
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2024 16:17:02 +0000
Subject: Response from Public Safety Canada - LEB-001083 / Réponse de
Sécurité Publique Canada - LEB-001083
To: "david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Unclassified | Non classifié
Dear David Amos,
This is in response to your correspondence dated July 24, 2019,
addressed to the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, concerning the New Brunswick Police Commission.
We regret to inform you that after examining your correspondence, it has been determined that the subject matter which you raise does not fall under the purview of our department and portfolio agencies. This can be brought to the attention of the Saint John, New Brunswick Police Commission.
Consequently, no response will be provided.
Thank you for taking the time to write.
Ministerial Correspondence Unit
Public Safety Canada
Unclassified | Non classifié
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Date: Wed, 24 Jul 2019 10:16:53 -0300
Subject: Attn CST Stephen Davidson after I read the news today about New Brunswick Police Commission I called you first The NBPC did not answer their phone
To: nbpc <nbpc@gnb.ca>, stephen.davidson@saintjohn.ca, "jan.jensen"
<jan.jensen@justice.gc.ca>, "Larry.Tremblay"
<Larry.Tremblay@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
<Dale.Morgan@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "David.Lametti"
<David.Lametti@parl.gc.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>,
"hon.ralph.goodale" <hon.ralph.goodale@canada.ca>
Cc: "David.Raymond.Amos" <David.Raymond.Amos@gmail.com>
https://www.cbc.ca/news/
Police watchdog may skip review of Oland homicide investigation
New Brunswick Police Commission decided in 2015 it would review Saint
John Police Force's handling of case
Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon · CBC News · Posted: Jul 23, 2019 5:48 PM AT
Me,Myself and I
David Amos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
RCMP Sussex New Brunswick
David Amos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
RCMP and the Fat Fred City Finest
David Amos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
RCMP in Fat Fred City Pt 1
David Amos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
RCMP in Fat Fred City Pt 2
David Amos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Speak of the Devil and Cst. Mark Blakely of the RCMP appears
David Amos
>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> From: "Murray, Charles (Ombud)" <Charles.Murray@gnb.ca>
>> Date: Wed, 20 Mar 2019 18:16:15 +0000
>> Subject: You wished to speak with me
>> To: "motomaniac333@gmail.com" <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
>>
>> I have the advantage, sir, of having read many of your emails over the
>> years.
>>
>>
>> As such, I do not think a phone conversation between us, and
>> specifically one which you might mistakenly assume was in response to
>> your threat of legal action against me, is likely to prove a
>> productive use of either of our time.
>>
>>
>> If there is some specific matter about which you wish to communicate
>> with me, feel free to email me with the full details and it will be
>> given due consideration.
>>
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>>
>> Charles Murray
>>
>> Ombud NB
>>
>> Acting Integrity Commissioner
>>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com
> Date: Mon, 12 Jun 2017 09:32:09 -0400
> Subject: Attn Integrity Commissioner Alexandre Deschênes, Q.C.,
> To: coi@gnb.ca
> Cc: david.raymond.amos@gmail.com
>
> Good Day Sir
>
> After I heard you speak on CBC I called your office again and managed
> to speak to one of your staff for the first time
>
> Please find attached the documents I promised to send to the lady who
> answered the phone this morning. Please notice that not after the Sgt
> at Arms took the documents destined to your office his pal Tanker
> Malley barred me in writing with an "English" only document.
>
> These are the hearings and the dockets in Federal Court that I
> suggested that you study closely.
>
> This is the docket in Federal Court
>
> http://cas-cdc-www02.cas-satj.
>
> These are digital recordings of the last three hearings
>
> Dec 14th https://archive.org/details/
>
> January 11th, 2016 https://archive.org/details/
>
> April 3rd, 2017
>
> https://archive.org/details/
>
>
> This is the docket in the Federal Court of Appeal
>
> http://cas-cdc-www02.cas-satj.
>
>
> The only hearing thus far
>
> May 24th, 2017
>
> https://archive.org/details/
>
>
> This Judge understnds the meaning of the word Integrity
>
> Date: 20151223
>
> Docket: T-1557-15
>
> Fredericton, New Brunswick, December 23, 2015
>
> PRESENT: The Honourable Mr. Justice Bell
>
> BETWEEN:
>
> DAVID RAYMOND AMOS
>
> Plaintiff
>
> and
>
> HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
>
> Defendant
>
> ORDER
>
> (Delivered orally from the Bench in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on
> December 14, 2015)
>
> The Plaintiff seeks an appeal de novo, by way of motion pursuant to
> the Federal Courts Rules (SOR/98-106), from an Order made on November
> 12, 2015, in which Prothonotary Morneau struck the Statement of Claim
> in its entirety.
>
> At the outset of the hearing, the Plaintiff brought to my attention a
> letter dated September 10, 2004, which he sent to me, in my then
> capacity as Past President of the New Brunswick Branch of the Canadian
> Bar Association, and the then President of the Branch, Kathleen Quigg,
> (now a Justice of the New Brunswick Court of Appeal). In that letter
> he stated:
>
> As for your past President, Mr. Bell, may I suggest that you check the
> work of Frank McKenna before I sue your entire law firm including you.
> You are your brother’s keeper.
>
> Frank McKenna is the former Premier of New Brunswick and a former
> colleague of mine at the law firm of McInnes Cooper. In addition to
> expressing an intention to sue me, the Plaintiff refers to a number of
> people in his Motion Record who he appears to contend may be witnesses
> or potential parties to be added. Those individuals who are known to
> me personally, include, but are not limited to the former Prime
> Minister of Canada, The Right Honourable Stephen Harper; former
> Attorney General of Canada and now a Justice of the Manitoba Court of
> Queen’s Bench, Vic Toews; former member of Parliament Rob Moore;
> former Director of Policing Services, the late Grant Garneau; former
> Chief of the Fredericton Police Force, Barry McKnight; former Staff
> Sergeant Danny Copp; my former colleagues on the New Brunswick Court
> of Appeal, Justices Bradley V. Green and Kathleen Quigg, and, retired
> Assistant Commissioner Wayne Lang of the Royal Canadian Mounted
> Police.
>
> In the circumstances, given the threat in 2004 to sue me in my
> personal capacity and my past and present relationship with many
> potential witnesses and/or potential parties to the litigation, I am
> of the view there would be a reasonable apprehension of bias should I
> hear this motion. See Justice de Grandpré’s dissenting judgment in
> Committee for Justice and Liberty et al v National Energy Board et al,
> [1978] 1 SCR 369 at p 394 for the applicable test regarding
> allegations of bias. In the circumstances, although neither party has
> requested I recuse myself, I consider it appropriate that I do so.
>
>
> AS A RESULT OF MY RECUSAL, THIS COURT ORDERS that the Administrator of
> the Court schedule another date for the hearing of the motion. There
> is no order as to costs.
>
> “B. Richard Bell”
> Judge
>
>
> Below after the CBC article about your concerns (I made one comment
> already) you will find the text of just two of many emails I had sent
> to your office over the years since I first visited it in 2006.
>
> I noticed that on July 30, 2009, he was appointed to the the Court
> Martial Appeal Court of Canada Perhaps you should scroll to the
> bottom of this email ASAP and read the entire Paragraph 83 of my
> lawsuit now before the Federal Court of Canada?
>
> "FYI This is the text of the lawsuit that should interest Trudeau the most
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: justin.trudeau.a1@parl.gc.ca
> Date: Thu, Oct 22, 2015 at 8:18 PM
> Subject: Réponse automatique : RE My complaint against the CROWN in
> Federal Court Attn David Hansen and Peter MacKay If you planning to
> submit a motion for a publication ban on my complaint trust that you
> dudes are way past too late
> To: david.raymond.amos@gmail.com
>
> Veuillez noter que j'ai changé de courriel. Vous pouvez me rejoindre à
> lalanthier@hotmail.com
>
> Pour rejoindre le bureau de M. Trudeau veuillez envoyer un courriel à
> tommy.desfosses@parl.gc.ca
>
> Please note that I changed email address, you can reach me at
> lalanthier@hotmail.com
>
> To reach the office of Mr. Trudeau please send an email to
> tommy.desfosses@parl.gc.ca
>
> Thank you,
>
> Merci ,
>
>
> http://davidraymondamos3.
>
>
> 83. The Plaintiff states that now that Canada is involved in more war
> in Iraq again it did not serve Canadian interests and reputation to
> allow Barry Winters to publish the following words three times over
> five years after he began his bragging:
>
> January 13, 2015
> This Is Just AS Relevant Now As When I wrote It During The Debate
>
> December 8, 2014
> Why Canada Stood Tall!
>
> Friday, October 3, 2014
> Little David Amos’ “True History Of War” Canadian Airstrikes And
> Stupid Justin Trudeau
>
> Canada’s and Canadians free ride is over. Canada can no longer hide
> behind Amerka’s and NATO’s skirts.
>
> When I was still in Canadian Forces then Prime Minister Jean Chretien
> actually committed the Canadian Army to deploy in the second campaign
> in Iraq, the Coalition of the Willing. This was against or contrary to
> the wisdom or advice of those of us Canadian officers that were
> involved in the initial planning phases of that operation. There were
> significant concern in our planning cell, and NDHQ about of the dearth
> of concern for operational guidance, direction, and forces for
> operations after the initial occupation of Iraq. At the “last minute”
> Prime Minister Chretien and the Liberal government changed its mind.
> The Canadian government told our amerkan cousins that we would not
> deploy combat troops for the Iraq campaign, but would deploy a
> Canadian Battle Group to Afghanistan, enabling our amerkan cousins to
> redeploy troops from there to Iraq. The PMO’s thinking that it was
> less costly to deploy Canadian Forces to Afghanistan than Iraq. But
> alas no one seems to remind the Liberals of Prime Minister Chretien’s
> then grossly incorrect assumption. Notwithstanding Jean Chretien’s
> incompetence and stupidity, the Canadian Army was heroic,
> professional, punched well above it’s weight, and the PPCLI Battle
> Group, is credited with “saving Afghanistan” during the Panjway
> campaign of 2006.
>
> What Justin Trudeau and the Liberals don’t tell you now, is that then
> Liberal Prime Minister Jean Chretien committed, and deployed the
> Canadian army to Canada’s longest “war” without the advice, consent,
> support, or vote of the Canadian Parliament.
>
> What David Amos and the rest of the ignorant, uneducated, and babbling
> chattering classes are too addled to understand is the deployment of
> less than 75 special operations troops, and what is known by planners
> as a “six pac cell” of fighter aircraft is NOT the same as a
> deployment of a Battle Group, nor a “war” make.
>
> The Canadian Government or The Crown unlike our amerkan cousins have
> the “constitutional authority” to commit the Canadian nation to war.
> That has been recently clearly articulated to the Canadian public by
> constitutional scholar Phillippe Legasse. What Parliament can do is
> remove “confidence” in The Crown’s Government in a “vote of
> non-confidence.” That could not happen to the Chretien Government
> regarding deployment to Afghanistan, and it won’t happen in this
> instance with the conservative majority in The Commons regarding a
> limited Canadian deployment to the Middle East.
>
> President George Bush was quite correct after 911 and the terror
> attacks in New York; that the Taliban “occupied” and “failed state”
> Afghanistan was the source of logistical support, command and control,
> and training for the Al Quaeda war of terror against the world. The
> initial defeat, and removal from control of Afghanistan was vital and
>
> P.S. Whereas this CBC article is about your opinion of the actions of
> the latest Minister Of Health trust that Mr Boudreau and the CBC have
> had my files for many years and the last thing they are is ethical.
> Ask his friends Mr Murphy and the RCMP if you don't believe me.
>
> Subject:
> Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2007 12:02:35 -0400
> From: "Murphy, Michael B. \(DH/MS\)" MichaelB.Murphy@gnb.ca
> To: motomaniac_02186@yahoo.com
>
> January 30, 2007
>
> WITHOUT PREJUDICE
>
> Mr. David Amos
>
> Dear Mr. Amos:
>
> This will acknowledge receipt of a copy of your e-mail of December 29,
> 2006 to Corporal Warren McBeath of the RCMP.
>
> Because of the nature of the allegations made in your message, I have
> taken the measure of forwarding a copy to Assistant Commissioner Steve
> Graham of the RCMP “J” Division in Fredericton.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Honourable Michael B. Murphy
> Minister of Health
>
> CM/cb
>
>
> Warren McBeath warren.mcbeath@rcmp-grc.gc.ca wrote:
>
> Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2006 17:34:53 -0500
> From: "Warren McBeath" warren.mcbeath@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
> To: kilgoursite@ca.inter.net, MichaelB.Murphy@gnb.ca,
> nada.sarkis@gnb.ca, wally.stiles@gnb.ca, dwatch@web.net,
> motomaniac_02186@yahoo.com
> CC: ottawa@chuckstrahl.com, riding@chuckstrahl.com,John.
> Oda.B@parl.gc.ca,"Bev BUSSON" bev.busson@rcmp-grc.gc.ca,
> "Paul Dube" PAUL.DUBE@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
> Subject: Re: Remember me Kilgour? Landslide Annie McLellan has
> forgotten me but the crooks within the RCMP have not
>
> Dear Mr. Amos,
>
> Thank you for your follow up e-mail to me today. I was on days off
> over the holidays and returned to work this evening. Rest assured I
> was not ignoring or procrastinating to respond to your concerns.
>
> As your attachment sent today refers from Premier Graham, our position
> is clear on your dead calf issue: Our forensic labs do not process
> testing on animals in cases such as yours, they are referred to the
> Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown who can provide these
> services. If you do not choose to utilize their expertise in this
> instance, then that is your decision and nothing more can be done.
>
> As for your other concerns regarding the US Government, false
> imprisonment and Federal Court Dates in the US, etc... it is clear
> that Federal authorities are aware of your concerns both in Canada
> the US. These issues do not fall into the purvue of Detachment
> and policing in Petitcodiac, NB.
>
> It was indeed an interesting and informative conversation we had on
> December 23rd, and I wish you well in all of your future endeavors.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Warren McBeath, Cpl.
> GRC Caledonia RCMP
> Traffic Services NCO
> Ph: (506) 387-2222
> Fax: (506) 387-4622
> E-mail warren.mcbeath@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
>
>
>
> Alexandre Deschênes, Q.C.,
> Office of the Integrity Commissioner
> Edgecombe House, 736 King Street
> Fredericton, N.B. CANADA E3B 5H1
> tel.: 506-457-7890
> fax: 506-444-5224
> e-mail:coi@gnb.ca
>
On 8/3/17, David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> wrote:
> If want something very serious to download and laugh at as well Please
> Enjoy and share real wiretap tapes of the mob
>
> http://thedavidamosrant.
> ilian.html
>
>> http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/
>>
>> As the CBC etc yap about Yankee wiretaps and whistleblowers I must
>> ask them the obvious question AIN'T THEY FORGETTING SOMETHING????
>>
>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?
>>
>> What the hell does the media think my Yankee lawyer served upon the
>> USDOJ right after I ran for and seat in the 39th Parliament baseball
>> cards?
>>
>> http://archive.org/details/
>> 6
>>
>> http://davidamos.blogspot.ca/
>>
>> http://www.archive.org/
>>
>> http://archive.org/details/
>>
>> FEDERAL EXPRES February 7, 2006
>> Senator Arlen Specter
>> United States Senate
>> Committee on the Judiciary
>> 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building
>> Washington, DC 20510
>>
>> Dear Mr. Specter:
>>
>> I have been asked to forward the enclosed tapes to you from a man
>> named, David Amos, a Canadian citizen, in connection with the matters
>> raised in the attached letter.
>>
>> Mr. Amos has represented to me that these are illegal FBI wire tap tapes.
>>
>> I believe Mr. Amos has been in contact with you about this previously.
>>
>> Very truly yours,
>> Barry A. Bachrach
>> Direct telephone: (508) 926-3403
>> Direct facsimile: (508) 929-3003
>> Email: bbachrach@bowditch.com
>>
>
RNC losing members to RCMP
Imagine getting $20,000 more a year to do the same job you're doing now. It happened on Thursday to police constable John Clarke. He left the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and joined the RCMP. The Mounties got their man and he got a big pay raise.
John Clarke said goodbye to fifteen years in the RNC and became a Mountie. Clarke will do the same work he did in the RNC, at the same rank, for much more money. "My understanding," says Clarke, "is it's a 20 thousand dollar a year raise, so that's quite a significant amount.."
Clarke is the first RNC officer to sign on with the Mounties under their new policy of hiring officers from other forces. He probably won't be the last. Tim Buckle, who's with the RNC 's union, says, "We're of an understanding that eight of our members wrote the entry exam in the last two weeks. We understand that at least 20 have applied. So we think there's going to be a substantial departure from the RNC."
So who'll stop the bleeding? Certainly not Justice Minister Kelvin Parsons . "The RCMP, as I understand it, have their salary ranges set by a national tribunal which takes into account the top three police forces in Canada," says Parsons, "That's their way of doing business and we live within the fiscal realities of what we're able to do."
For the RNC, that means living with the seven per cent raise they got last year. That's something John Clarke won't have to worry about. He starts his new job on Friday.
https://www.thecanadafiles.com/articles/jcra
John Clarke: The police as the "rich man's army"
Written by: John Clarke
Some years ago, I was on the street outside of one of the drop ins used by poor and homeless people in Toronto’s Downtown East. It was a pleasant summer day and, there being no need to stay indoors, many of those using the facility were eating their food outside. Suddenly, a tow truck went by, pulling along a police car that had been in a collision. Dozens of people immediately started clapping and cheering at this sight. Let me connect that incident to a private and impromptu conversation I had with a judge at around the same time who candidly told me that, ‘the justice system is class based and the police are its gatekeepers.’ From the incident outside the drop in I have just described, you might conclude that those homeless people and the judge shared the same view of things, though I suspect the homeless understood it better than he did. The spontaneous celebration I witnessed on the street that day reflected a deeply ingrained and harshly reinforced understanding that the police are the natural enemy of poor and working class people, particularly those who experience the racial oppression that is fundamental to this society.
The murderous and racist brutality of the police in Minneapolis, manifested in the killing of George Floyd, has now ignited a social explosion across the US. This uprising, moreover, takes place at a time of broader upheaval, as the global pandemic unleashes an economic downturn of historic proportions. The period ahead, will be marked by mass unemployment, rising poverty, increased homelessness, widespread hunger, intensified racism and a political agenda of austerity and social cutbacks. The communities impacted by these factors and those who take the route of social mobilization and organized resistance in the face of the crisis, can expect an increased use of the police to maintain the particular and selective brand of ‘public order’ they are in the business of imposing.
Given all this, I want here to try and set out a basic explanation of just what the police, as an institution, represent in this society. Since I want this to be helpful to people just beginning to participate in social struggles, I shall try and present things as clearly as possible, with a selection of my own dealings and experiences with the police over the years. A major part of these dealings took place during the nearly three decades that I spent as an organizer with the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP).
Roots
In England, the smooth running social order in which the landed aristocracy could exploit and oppress the peasants, was referred to as ‘the king’s peace.’ During the period, from the late 1400s to the very early 1600s, that the Tudor monarchs sat on the throne, the powers of the state were centralized and used to control a population of people who had been thrown off their land. This was done to open up capitalist forms of agriculture and to compel the peasants to become waged workers in the modern sense. This was a question of the state ‘keeping the peace’ in order to facilitate the creation of a new social and economic system and to keep a lid on the unrest that this massive social dislocation involved. Chapter 28 of the first volume of ‘Capital,’ by Karl Marx, sets this out in more detail.
As the Industrial Revolution got underway, in the 19th Century, and a developing factory system increased the need to control a growing and restive urban working class population, the authorities looked for a more vigorous and effective method of maintaining public order. This intensified need to keep exploited and oppressed communities in line led to the formation of police forces. In 1829, the London Metropolitan Police were formed and a body came into being that could amass significant repressive strength when necessary but that also had the ability to ‘patrol and control’ working class communities on an ongoing basis. This was an enormous advance for the the capacity of the state to impose its will and dictates. Acts of frustration or survival that poor working class people might engage in could be responded to much more immediately but, just as importantly, entire communities would now know that the enforcers of state power were never far away. It is worth noting that a rudimentary police force came into being in Toronto just five years later, in 1834. In the Canadian context, apart from this form of urban police initiative to control working class populations, a particularly sharp contribution to the racist nature of policing is to be found in the RCMP. Its forerunner, the North West Mounted Police, was formed to advance the dispossession of the Indigenous people living on the western plains and, as a colonial police force, it was modelled on the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC).
The Police and their Peace
It would be entirely accurate to say that the role of the police in this society is fundamentally about warding off threats to the property relations that capitalism rests on. That means protecting physical property but also defending the exploitative forms of activity that this property is put to and (getting back to the concept of the peace) it requires the preservation of an orderly society. That last concept has to be understood as orderly in the way a society based on injustice views the term. Hence, a person without food has no claim to the protection of the police but the owner of a supermarket full of overpriced groceries can count on them to arrest the hungry person who steals food. Workers whose jobs are dangerous and underpaid have no right to police protection but, if they go on strike, their employer can call on the police to escort strikebreakers across their picket line. The system of law and order the cops enforce is that of an exploitative ruling class.
The police are summoned to constrain and suppress, if necessary, movements of protest and social resistance, as is happening in the US at this moment. There are also a whole range of particular and specialized activities some of them engage in. The basic day to day function of most police officers, however, is to patrol communities. In affluent neighbourhoods, they keep an eye out for threats to safety and well being. In poor and racialized communities (where they focus their efforts) they act very differently. In these places, they assert the very kind of social control function that the 19th Century founders of modern policing had in mind. In the neoliberal city that has emerged over recent decades, moreover, the geographical space between rich and poor has diminished. Communities are in the process of gentrification and, in those situations, the police function as the shock troops of redevelopment, assisting the incoming wealthy residents and businesses to contain and drive out the poor.
How directly the police discharge this function can’t be overstated. In the Downtown East of Toronto that I organized in for decades, the affluent homeowners and business interests know they can rely on the police and the latter develop strategies and tactics to meet the needs of those they really ‘serve and protect.’ I was cycling past a public park some years ago and saw a cop giving a ticket to a man sitting on the grass with a couple of bags beside him. The cop was on a motorcycle and left just as I was approaching. I discovered that he had just given a ticket to an elderly homeless man for ‘camping in a park without a permit.’ Now, this man was fully dressed and resting his head on one his unopened bags. He obviously wasn’t camping but the cop had simply selected this offence and applied it to him because, as he told him, ‘the businesses across the street don’t want you here.’
Hundreds of thousands of such incidents take place in major cities every day. At a protest we once organized to challenge a restaurant owner who was trying to get a nearby homeless shelter closed, a senior police officer told me that he felt his most important role wasto keep the core area of the city free of ‘vagrants’ in order to preserve a good climate for local businesses. Now, that isn’t written down anywhere and, in fact, the notion that the police should try and interfere with the legal rights of those who are poor so as to uphold the economic interests of the rich is actually at odds with the officially mandated duties of the police. However, that is exactly how they work in reality.
A homeless man I know got roughed up and arrested because he yelled out at a couple of passing cops that they were part of the ‘rich man’s army.’ He was right and they knew it as well as he did. In 2000, as I spent a night in the cells in the 52 Division of the Toronto Police, arrested on a charge related to a protest, I got a fascinating demonstration of the ‘class based’ nature of policing, as the above mentioned judge described it. During the night, a man was brought in swearing and struggling and was put in one of the cells. He continued to shout his head off so the cops came back to deal with him. They were unbelievably polite and even deferential. From their ongoing conversation with him, I discovered that he was a retired school principal who had gone to a restaurant where he he managed to get very drunk. He started beating up his wife and, when staff tried to intervene, positioned himself behind a table and hurled plates and cutlery and anyone who approached. When the police arrived, he punched one of them in the face. Brought to the station, he was placed in an individual cell because the police didn’t want to put such a respectable gentleman in the drunk tank. He was not charged with any criminal offence but only given a minor ticket and released to his wife’s care as soon as he had had a little nap and come to his senses. The class instincts of the system of policing worked to ensure that someone who wasn’t supposed to be in its net was swiftly set free.
Myth and Reality.
The things I have just described are not supposed to happen and any police spokesperson would deny that any such events took place. However, it would be wrong, in my view, to conclude that that explanation lies in 'police wrongdoing,' in the sense of the conduct I have described being a distortion of how things are supposed to work. The capitalist state and its institutions need a fair measure of legitimacy and cops can’t patrol the streets in cars that have, ‘To Serve and Protect Bourgeois Property’ written on them. That’s exactly what they do but, in order to do it effectively, the legislature, the courts, the media and others have to look the other way so as to afford the police enormous latitude. The police feel their have a right to total impunity but what they get is easily close enough for the system to work.
In this climate, though there are periodic scandals and crises when they are too crude and obvious, the police can indeed function as the ‘rich man’s army,’ oppressing and intimidating poor and racialized communities day in and day out, while being officially required to impartially enforce the law. A Somali taxi driver came into our office, holding a thick wad of tickets. He was told by the cop who issued them that ‘I know you didn’t really do any of these things but I’m raising money for my country.’ A young Black man I met in a drop in told me he had been put up against a wall by two cops and, when he protested that he had done nothing wrong, was told by one of them, ‘I know but we were bored and thought we’d harass a n...’ A homeless man told me of the beating he received at the hands of two particularly notorious cops. As they inflicted it, one of them gave him an ongoing set of predictions on the injuries each blow from their sticks would cause. In each of these cases, the police involved were guilty of professional misconduct and, indeed were committing crimes, but, in reality, they were exercising their function of social control on the targeted communities this oppressive and racist society wants pacified and contained. It just prefers to leave the ugly details to the professionals.
Though it is the nature of the police function that is decisive and not the thoughts and motivations of the cops themselves, the question of how their they view what they do is not without interest. I have found cops to be quite simple people, suited to the role they play. I don’t mean by this that they are stupid. They can be very cunning and manipulative, have a clear minded ability to take control and intimidate people and they are certainly tenacious in the pursuit of their objectives. However, the function they have to discharge is a odds with a serious capacity for critical thought and cops have a very narrow and authoritarian view of things. In their minds, law and order (with the emphasis on the latter) are inherently good and those who challenge them are simply bad people. They view themselves as noble and heroic in a way that is almost child like. During the preliminary enquiry that took place before a jury trial three of us faced, over a supposed ‘riot’ at the Ontario Legislature, a cop took the witness stand against us. He had been at the event and, during the course of it, started beating someone on the ground with his club. One of my co-accused tried to prevent this and the cop lost his footing. He testified that he felt hands grabbing him and, as he put it, ‘This is an officer’s worst nightmare because you know the crowd wants only to take your life.’ Video footage that was played shortly thereafter showed clearly that no one came near him while he was on the ground except for a press photographer who helped him up. No doubt this rather hapless witness was hoping to help get us all convicted but I don’t actually think he was lying. I think he really did see the whole event as an evil mob that he was protecting society from and, if he fell on the ground, he would fully expect such wicked wrongdoers to pose a threat to his life. Those in the ranks of the ‘rich man’s army’ accept or disregard the fundamental injustices of the society whose order they impose and see the authority they uphold as sacred and beyond challenge. They also view their brutal role as the enforcers of inequality and injustice as a noble mission. It is hardly surprising, then, if their line of work attracts the kind of people who don't think too deeply about things.
As I began by saying, the period ahead will be shaped by the huge crisis of the capitalist system that is now unfolding. There will be a major effort to ensure that working class people pay for this crisis, in the form of intensified exploitation, greatly reduced living standards and cuts to vital public services. To the extent that workers and communities resist, they will deal with the police as the security detail for an agenda of austerity. In the US, as people take to the streets to challenge police racism and brutality, much is being made of cops who ‘take the knee’ to show their supposed sympathy for racial justice. There are reports of cops attacking protesters shortly after their staged kneeling performances are over. As we build movements of resistance, we can’t have any illusions in what the police are and who they serve and protect. Our goal must be too mobilize a fight back from among the millions of people impacted by the crisis that is too massive and too powerful for this system or its cops to hold it back. We must fight to win.
Monday 29 July 2024
Top Mountie ousted by Higgs flagged political 'influence' on policing
Opposition leaders rap Higgs for 2021 removal of top RCMP officer
Larry Tremblay’s letter on political ‘influence’ raises concerns about premier, say Susan Holt, David Coon
Opposition leaders say new information about the 2021 departure of the RCMP's top officer in New Brunswick is another example of Premier Blaine Higgs blaming others for his lack of leadership.
CBC News revealed this week that J Division commanding officer Larry Tremblay raised concerns about a Higgs government vision that "blurs the lines between politics and policing" in a July 2021 letter.
The province had asked for Tremblay's removal from the position, leading to Tremblay's retirement from the RCMP later that year.
"It's yet another example of political influence from the premier where it shouldn't be," Liberal Leader Susan Holt said Monday. "We need our public safety leaders at the RCMP to be independent, and we need their work to be clear and transparent.
"This is another example of a lack of leadership from Higgs."
Green Leader David Coon agreed.
"It's more of the same," he said, accusing Higgs of believing he is "the boss of everybody. It was no surprise to me at all."
Then-public safety minister Ted Flemming asked for Tremblay's removal in a July 15, 2021, letter, invoking a section of the province's policing contract with the RCMP.
CBC News has obtained the letter that Larry Tremblay, once the top Mountie in New Brunswick, wrote in 2021. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
Flemming told then-RCMP commissioner Brenda Lucki he didn't have confidence in Tremblay to ramp up the fight against drug crime in the province.
In his July 26 letter to Lucki, Tremblay said the force had been fighting drug crime, but the province had never identified it as a priority.
Instead, the Higgs government had a "different vision" of police independence, Tremblay said, and the force must remain "independent and free from influence."
A spokesperson for the Public Safety Department refused to comment on the letter obtained by CBC News. The RCMP also refused to comment.
Under the policing contract, the province can set goals for the RCMP as the provincial police force but operational decisions are up to the force itself.
Tremblay's letter did not identify specific examples of blurred lines between politics and policing but said there were differences between the RCMP and the province on issues, including Crown-Indigenous relationships and how to handle legal protests.
Holt and Coon agreed with policing expert Chrisitan Leuprecht, a professor at the Royal Military College, that a provincial police commission — like the boards that exist in Saint John and Greater Moncton — would safeguard police independence.
On certain issues, there were differences between the Blaine Higgs government and the RCMP, the letter says. (Radio-Canada)
Coon said the model is used elsewhere in Canada and is a good suggestion.
"To have buffers between politicians and those who deliver public services … I think the case has been made repeatedly."
The Green leader said Higgs's top-down, hands-on approach was a continuation of how former premier Brian Gallant governed.
Holt said public concern about crime is real, and rather than doing real work to address it in 2021, Higgs opted instead to look for someone he could fire — as he has done when problems have erupted in other areas such as health care.
"It seems the premier doesn't have answers for them, so went looking for somebody to blame," she said.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Top Mountie ousted by Higgs flagged political 'influence' on policing
Larry Tremblay wrote that PC government’s vision ‘blurs the lines’ between politics, policing
The RCMP's top officer in New Brunswick raised concerns about political interference by the Higgs government when he was ousted from the job in 2021, according to a letter he wrote at the time.
Assistant commissioner Larry Tremblay wrote in the letter, obtained by CBC News, that his removal was the result of disagreements with the provincial government over its vision that "blurs the lines between politics and policing."
"In my view, it is imperative that the provincial police remain independent and free from influence in the application and enforcement of laws," he wrote in the July 26, 2021, letter to then-RCMP commissioner Brenda Lucki.
Tremblay wrote the letter 11 days after the government invoked a section of its policing contract with the RCMP to demand Tremblay's removal as the head of J Division in New Brunswick.
Tremblay's letter was addressed to then-RCMP commissioner Brenda Lucki. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
Ted Flemming, as justice and public safety minister, said at the time that he had "no confidence" that Tremblay could "drive the change" to fight drug crime and be accountable to local communities policed by the RCMP — two priorities for the government, he said.
In his letter to Lucki, Tremblay said that wasn't true.
He told the commissioner that Flemming's letter was the first time anyone from the Higgs government told the RCMP that drug crime was its top priority, and that a "directional statement" from the province didn't refer to it as a priority.
Until he was called to a meeting on June 30, 2021, "I had not received any prior indication" that the partnership between the province and the RCMP "was anything but positive and future focused," he wrote.
"I believe the request for my removal is not related to a lack of provincial drug enforcement or community engagement and accountability," he continued.
"I believe this request stems from a different vision of the role of the provincial police that blurs the lines between politics and policing, and the resulting direction provided to police."
The three-page letter also provided details of the force's efforts on drug crime and said the RCMP's reporting structure through regional service commissions made it "extremely difficult to demonstrate to local communities the value of our service."
Tremblay's letter did not identify specific examples of blurred lines between politics and policing.
But he wrote the Higgs government and the RCMP had "principled differences" on issues, including "a measured approach to lawful protests" and Crown-Indigenous relations, as well as on policing standards, intelligence sharing and external reviews of incidents.
Three months before Tremblay's removal, the premier announced he was ending tax-sharing agreements with 13 First Nations communities in the province.
Ted
Flemming, as justice and public safety minister, said at the time that
he had 'no confidence' that Tremblay could 'drive the change' to fight
drug crime and be accountable to local communities policed by the RCMP. (Jacques Poitras/CBC file photo)
The federal police force had adopted an Indigenous reconciliation policy that included training for officers in "appropriate police intervention options" during protests, including alternatives to confrontation such as "de-escalation techniques."
The cancellation of the tax deals did not lead to any major protests or roadblocks by Indigenous people.
Tremblay would not agree to an interview about the letter or his removal.
A spokesperson for Public Safety Minister Kris Austin turned down a request for interviews with Austin, Flemming or Premier Blaine Higgs.
"Minister Flemming's letter to the Commissioner accurately expresses his reasons for writing," Geoffrey Downey said in an email.
"We have nothing further to say about this."
Christian Leuprecht, a professor and policing expert at the Royal Military College, said the letter is an example of "fundamental flaws in the contract policing model."
New Brunswick's contract with the RCMP says the provincial public safety minister sets "objectives, priorities and goals" for the RCMP's provincial policing, but the force decides how to apply federally set "professional police standards and procedures" to its operations.
Those two can be at odds, Leuprecht says.
Christian
Leuprecht, a professor and policing expert at the Royal Military
College, said the letter is an example of 'fundamental flaws in the
contract policing model.' (Submitted by Christian Leuprecht)
The RCMP can also be left "holding the bag" when protests flare up over political decisions.
"Any police force will tell you, 'Our job is not to do political policing,'" Leuprecht said.
"We've learned a lot of hard lessons … about how not to police political protest. I think that's partially what the deputy commissioner is likely echoing.
"The minister is telling him, 'I want this resolved, I want that resolved,' and he's saying, 'Yeah, you can tell me to resolve that, but you can't tell me how to resolve that.'"
The government's demand for Tremblay's removal was made under a section of the RCMP's contract with the province to police communities without their own municipal forces.
When the ouster became public in October 2021, Flemming said in an interview the government wanted to "declare war" on drug crime.
"I found, and the government found, that we were not having the kind of leadership that we felt we needed," he said.
Flemming requested Tremblay's removal in a July 15, 2021, letter to Lucki. Tremblay remained in the position until he retired from the RCMP at the end of October 2021.
Tremblay's letter disputing the province's explanation was dated July 26, and three days later, on July 29, Lucki responded to Flemming's request.
In her letter, the commissioner said it was unfortunate no one from the province had told her about "concerns" with Tremblay before invoking the agreement to ask for his removal.
"There may have been an opportunity to proactively address some of the issues you've raised," she wrote.
RMCP spokesperson Sgt. Kim Chamberland said in an email Friday that Tremblay "made a personal decision" to retire in 2021. She said the force had no other comment.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The RCMP cannot deny that I have commented a lot since
The RCMP can also be left "holding the bag" when protests flare up over political decisions.
"Any police force will tell you, 'Our job is not to do political policing,'" Leuprecht said.
"We've learned a lot of hard lessons … about how not to police political protest. I think that's partially what the deputy commissioner is likely echoing."
The first question I should ask him is "Who is WE???"
Yup
Ronald Miller
Kyle Woodman
Reply to Ronald Miller
Like hiring travel nurses for 100's of millions of dollars?
David Amos
Reply to Kyle Woodman
Good question
Dan Lee
Reply to Kyle Woodman
and dont forget the mosts wonderfull gifts to irving........more wood......great subsidies...replanting irving s brand.......pay to cut crown wood........
Gabriel Boucher
Reply to Ronald Miller
You're describing authoritarianism, not democracy. Democracy is when the common people are considered as the primary source of political power, not the leader.
Matt Steele
Just another old rehashed story from THREE years ago that was already investigated , and reported on previously . There has always been the attitude with some police services that they are above the law , and answer to no one but themselves . The province provides provincial policing , and pays a substantial amount of taxpayer money to do ; and no doubt MLAs get a lot of complaints about the lack of policing services , and the rise in crime . If the RCMP want the contract to provide provincial policing , they need to be accountable to the government , and taxpayers of N.B. . The Higgs PC government brought in the SIRT program to provide independent over sight and investigation for police officers involved in serious misconduct , so no doubt that would upset some in the policing community who thought they should answer to no one but themselves .
Bobby Richards
Reply to Matt Steele
Don’t you have an artist rendering of the NB museum to celebrate?
David Amos
Reply to Matt Steele
Methinks one has to go back a lot further than 3 years N'esy Pas?
Reply to Gabriel Boucher
Reply to Ed Wallis
"We can see here that New Brunswick is trying to set a trend, that if we're going to pay for contract policing, the police force is ultimately responsible in a democracy to a civilian political authority, that being the provincial government."
Melanson and Arseneau both say that aggressive police action is not the best way to tackle drugs and addiction.
https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2023/04/higgs-government-rules-out-provincial.html
Thursday 13 April 2023
Higgs government rules out provincial police force to replace RCMP
Automatic reply: YO Higgy Why is that I am not surprised that I am being blocked from commenting on this topic?
| ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
 Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’Ontario<Premier@ontario.ca> | Fri, Apr 14, 2023 at 3:36 PM |
| To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> | |
Thank you for your email. Your thoughts, comments and input are greatly valued. You can be assured that all emails and letters are carefully read, reviewed and taken into consideration. There may be occasions when, given the issues you have raised and the need to address them effectively, we will forward a copy of your correspondence to the appropriate government official. Accordingly, a response may take several business days. Thanks again for your email. ______
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YO Higgy Why is that I am not surprised that I am being blocked from commenting on this topic?
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Higgs government rules out provincial police force to replace RCMP
Higgs government rules out provincial police force to replace RCMP
Minister says transition would take a decade and cost would be ‘extremely high’
Public Safety Minister Kris Austin told a committee of the legislature Thursday morning that there's no money in his budget this year to set up such a force because the province has opted against it.
"A provincial police force is really not feasible, simply because of the costs associated with it [and] the amount of time it would take to implement such a division, such a force," he said.
He later told reporters the transition to a provincial force might have taken a decade and the cost would have been "extremely high," though he didn't have a dollar figure.
"It would be a huge project, and I'm not convinced that the public would get the best bang for their buck," he said.
The province has a 20-year contract with the RCMP for policing most of the province that will end in 2032. (Shane Magee/CBC)
The RCMP now provides provincial policing under a 20-year contract in areas of the province where there is no municipal police force.
Municipalities are required to pay part of the cost, and some communities have complained in recent years that they don't feel they've been getting police coverage in line with what they're spending.
Austin said rather than replace the RCMP, his department will continue working on how its own enforcement officers, Mounties and municipal police can work together more effectively to provide better service.
He also said he's open to working with municipalities that are unhappy with the federal force and that opt to create their own forces.
"These are all discussions we're willing to have. At the end of the day it's got to be feasible. The standards have to be there. We want good policing."
Liberal
public safety critic Jacques LeBlanc says Austin raised questions about
RCMP staffing when he was leader of the People's Alliance. (CBC)
Liberal public safety critic Jacques LeBlanc said he was "kind of surprised to hear the minister say it's not feasible.… We all knew that."
He pointed out that Austin raised questions about adequate RCMP staffing in rural areas when he was the leader of the People's Alliance party, before he joined the Progressive Conservative government a year ago.
"It's like putting your foot in your mouth," LeBlanc said.
Austin acknowledged his previous position during the committee session.
"That's certainly something that I have, in previous years, obviously wanted to know more about. So now I know more about it."
Last year residents of McAdam complained at a public meeting that the RCMP were taking too long to respond to calls.
The force later stepped up their presence in the village, but local businessman Don Doherty says it hasn't helped and crime remains a problem.
Don
Doherty of McAdam said the RCMP aren't effectively responding to crime
happening in the New Brunswick village, and was one of several people
who spoke out about their concerns at a meeting at McAdam High School
last year. (Aidan Cox/CBC)
Switching from the RCMP to a provincial force wouldn't make any difference as long as federal policies and laws make it hard for police and prosecutors to arrest people or secure long prison sentences, he said.
"It's impossible to lay charges with the way the laws are," said Doherty.
"It needs to be fixed at the federal level, not the provincial level. A provincial police force is not going to change anything anyway."
Two
years ago, then-public safety minister Ted Flemming said a provincial
police force was 'something we should take a hard look at.' (Ed Hunter/CBC)
In December 2021, then-minister Ted Flemming called a provincial police force "something we should take a hard look at" because of complaints about inadequate RCMP services, especially in rural areas.
Flemming called it a complex issue and said the province would be giving up the one third of police funding that the federal government covers when the RCMP polices municipalities.
The province has a 20-year contract with the RCMP for policing most of the province that will end in 2032.
The Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick called for a review of policing services in 2021 and the provincial government's white paper on local government reform promised such a review.
Municipalities complained about the rising cost of RCMP policing after officers were unionized, as well as a lack of local control and accountability.
The province will spend $125 million on its policing contract with the RCMP this year, an increase of around $24 million this year.
Green
MLA Megan Mitton said the province should consider other ways to
support local communities, such as with mobile crisis services and
social workers. (Patrick Richard/CBC)
That increase, in part, reflects the province absorbing the increase to policing costs so municipalities don't have to pay for it, Austin said.
"As a provincial government, we said we're not going to download that cost. That cost is something we're going to bear."
Green MLA Megan Mitton said the province should consider other ways to support local communities, such as with mobile crisis services and social workers.
"What else is needed in our communities?" she said. "These are policy decisions, and I don't always think we're on the right track with this government."
But Doherty said communities need more police officers and tougher laws.
"It is not a social problem. It is a behavioural problem and the only way to correct it is with stiffer sentences."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Would it not be easier to name the communities who aren't complaining about poor service?
That's probably about it.
Is this like contractors who don't want to do the work quoting astronomical costs and timeframes so they either won't have to do the work or get a huge payday with no strings attached.
In January 1980 the Highway Law Enforcement Division was renamed the New Brunswick Highway Patrol and the focus changed to policing. Expansion during the early 1980s saw the NBHP expand its coverage to all highways in New Brunswick. Training requirements mandated a law enforcement background and members of the NBHP were peace officers with the same training and responsibilities as other police forces in the province under the Police Act.[1] [2][3] [4]
The NBHP expanded to 114 uniformed officers commanded by a chief and deputy chief and supported by civilian staff at the detachments. NBHP divided the province into two regions with a staff sergeant being responsible for each region. Each detachment was commanded by a sergeant and patrol officers had the rank of constable. There was no rank of corporal.
In July 1988 the recently elected government of Premier Frank McKenna announced that the responsibilities of the NBHP would be contracted to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police "J" Division. The NBHP was abolished effective February 1, 1989. Have no idea as to why they were discontinued. It would be nice to have the NBHP reinstated.
The NBHP expanded to 114 uniformed officers commanded by a chief and deputy chief and supported by civilian staff at the detachments. NBHP divided the province into two regions with a staff sergeant being responsible for each region. Each detachment was commanded by a sergeant and patrol officers had the rank of constable. There was no rank of corporal.
In July 1988 the recently elected government of Premier Frank McKenna announced that the responsibilities of the NBHP would be contracted to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police "J" Division. The NBHP was abolished effective February 1, 1989.
Province changes course and gives ombud records on new Fredericton jail
Province had refused to give records to ombud for review, claiming they are confidential cabinet documents
That comes after the department initially refused to provide the ombud's office with the records, claiming they're confidential cabinet documents.
After CBC News reported on the refusal on Wednesday, Premier Blaine Higgs said he'd asked the deputy minister and clerk to look into it.
"People are lighting their hair on fire on this and I want to make sure transparency is there as much as possible," Public Safety Minister Kris Austin said on Thursday during a Legislative committee meeting, after Green MLA Megan Mitton asked about the records.
Last year, CBC asked the province for all records that detail the need for a new jail, such as records that discuss the business case for the jail or capacity issues within existing correctional centres.
The
province refused a right to information request from CBC that asked for
records about the decision to build a new jail. The Southeast Regional
Correctional Centre in Shediac is pictured here. (CBC News file photo)
The Department of Justice and Public Safety refused to provide any records in response to that request, saying all the records are exempted under sections of the right to information law that protect confidential cabinet documents and advice to a cabinet minister.
CBC appealed the decision to provincial ombud Marie-France Pelletier, whose office handles complaints about right to information.
The government then also refused to provide copies to Pelletier's office, claiming all of the records are protected under cabinet confidences. It's one of only two reasons the law allows the department to not produce records to the ombud for review.
Austin says department followed the law
Austin said the department reversed course and decided to provide the records to the ombud "out of an abundance of transparency." He said his government has never provided a cabinet memorandum to anyone, including the ombud.
"The premier has always been very big on ensuring that the public knows what's going on and that there's no perception out there of trying to hide anything," Austin told reporters.
Austin said the department followed the law when it refused to hand over the records.
But he also said the information has already been released to the public, raising questions about how it could be considered confidential information.
"What I've given you is hard data … here's the capacity levels, here's where we're at or over capacity, over the last several years," Austin said.
"What the [memorandum to executive council] is going to give is basically the same thing summarized in a different form."
When asked whether he will follow the ombud's advice if Pelletier determines the records should become public, Austin didn't seem to see any issue, even though his department refused the right to information request.
"If it's the information that we've already been giving, why wouldn't we? There's no extra information there. It's the case around why we need the jail."
Last month, the ombud's office told CBC the records may not have been properly held back, and suggested the department reconsider its decision to not provide the records to CBC.
"Unfortunately, the department was not amenable to changing its minds, and maintained its original position that you are not entitled to access to any records," the ombud's office wrote.
Cost of Fredericton jail now up to $42 million
Austin also told the committee Thursday that the cost of the Fredericton jail is now estimated to be around $42 million, up from the $32 million figure the government gave a year and a half ago.
A spokesperson with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure told CBC this week that it won't have a better sense of the overall cost until it finishes work to "define the project's requirements."
"I'm not overly concerned that the costs are going to be that exorbitant," Austin said. "You've got to take in inflation, it's the world we live in today. But if that [number] changes, we're going to get it done."
Plans to build a new jail were announced in December 2021.
The expenditure didn't appear in the Progressive Conservative platform from the 2020 provincial election or in the party's 2018 platform. The government has cited rising crime rates and jails stretched to capacity as reasons why the new jail is needed.
- Austin leans on top cops, crime data to make case for more police spending
- Change in the way N.B. counts people in jail makes the correctional system seem more crowded
As of March 31, Austin said there were 450 men inside provincial jails, which is under the capacity number of 470. Another 18 men were being monitored by ankle bracelets on this date, the minister said.
Money better spent on housing, MLA says
Criminologists who have previously spoken to CBC have argued that building a new jail won't reduce crime or make the public any safer, and the money could be better spent on things like mental health care, addiction and housing.
Green MLA Megan Mitton pressed Public Safety Minister Kris Austin for
more justification around building a new jail. (Patrick Richard/CBC)
In the committee meeting Thursday, Mitton asked Austin to provide more justification for why the government plans to spend at least $42 million to build the jail.
"That's a lot of money," Mitton told reporters.
"We could really use those investments in other things like supporting a housing first approach, so that people who are leaving jail have the supports they need to not end up re-offending."
The department's operating budget for 2022-23 includes $3.7 million for provincial jail programming "designed to help [people] change their lives and avoid re-offending once released."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Jacques Poitras
That is both laughable and demonstrably untrue.
a new jail ??
Jails are built everyday .
Let's have more "transparency" by acknowledging
the fact that this jail has been unpopular since
it was first announced.
*Politics* at its finest !!!
Promises, promises....
Strange how it’s all good for him to question but alas, not to be questioned by others.
Although the Ombud will receive all the documents some of these documents I still do not believe will be for public consumption, as with many documents and the legislation they come under. Most of the data was already public, this was a a story when there was none.
Walking in someone else’s shoes.
And the Premier said, ….
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