The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[Seely32]

$14M cruise industry winds up season

Bruce Bartlett
Telegraph-Journal
Published Thursday October 25th, 2007
Appeared on page C4
SAINT JOHN - The final cruise ship of the season left Wednesday at 7 p.m., winding up a season that saw passenger numbers increase by 50 per cent over 2006.

With the departure of the Grand Princess, the city had officially welcomed more than 130,000 passengers and 50,000 crew members over the past five months.

"Saint John has firmly established itself as a marquee port in the Canada-New England cruise theatre," said Betty MacMillan, manager of business development for the Saint John Port Authority.

"The seven, four-day cruises calling at Saint John exclusively, were overwhelmingly successful and we look forward to hosting those weekend cruises again next summer."

The 53 vessels that called this year contributed an estimated $14 million to the local economy and next year is shaping up to be even brighter, she said.

"Many factors have contributed to the spectacular growth in the cruise industry for Saint John," said Capt. Al Soppitt, president and CEO of the Saint John Port Authority. "Since the very first ships began to regularly call in 1989, this city has pulled out all the stops to make the visitors feel welcome."

Because of the continued growth in this sector the port authority plans to go ahead with construction of the new cruise terminal building, which Soppitt said will be completed in time to welcome passengers for the 2008 season.

The Port of Saint John is a commercially viable, self-sufficient business enterprise and a cornerstone of the local economy, said Soppitt.

It is a critical component of the region's transportation infrastructure and is essential to many of New Brunswick's major industries engaged in international trade. It provides deep-water, ice-free access to shipping year round.

The cruise industry is growing annually and in addition to the dollars spent by cruise passengers while visiting Saint John, many use their days in port to decide whether they would like to return for a longer, land-based holiday, said Beth Kelly Hatt, owner of Aquila Tours.

[Helladog]

[details Of New Arena Unveiled]
Oct.26th/2007/10:44am:

Chsj News Has Obtained Preliminary Details For The New Wellness Center To Be Constructed In Quispamsis. The Estimated $16 Million Dollar Facility Includes An Nhl Size Arena And Out-door Pool Which Will Includes Six Junior Olympic Sized Lanes With Capacity For 450 Swimmers. There Will Be A Trade And Convention Center Component With A 5000 Square Feet Multi-purpose Room, An Elevated Walking Track Consisting Of Three Lanes, Each Four Feet Wide And A Re-constructed Soccer Field With Artificial Turf And Lights.

The Town Is Making Various Applications To Help Fund The Center With One Being To The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. A Letter Has Been Distributed To Members Of The K.v. Chamber Of Commerce Asking Them To Put On Paper A Few Remarks About The Benefits Of Such A Set-up As Part Of The Acoa Criteria.


[valley Nursing Complex In Home Stretch]
Oct25/07 1:32pm

Work On The New Kingsway Valley Care Center Along The Gondola Point Arterial Is Now Into The Home Stretch.
Board Member Mike Brennan Tells Chsj News, Construction Of The Building Is Expected To Finish Up On The 21st Of December.
Brennan Says The Biggest Part Of The Process Is Underway Right Now As They Look To Hire Staff So They Can Be Trained Which They Hope To Have Finished By The End Of Next Month Of The First Of December.

[rec Committee Still Working]
Oct25/07 1:32pm

It’s Been Awhile Since We Told You Where Things Stand With A New Arena Or Sports Complex For Saint John But Today We Have An Update.
Chair Of The Multi-plex Task Force Bob Manning Tells Chsj News, They Have Been Working Closely With City Officials To Decide Where They Want To Take The Next Phase.
Manning Says It’s Important They Take A Close Look At The Recreational Commitments That Have Been Made In The Kennebecasis Valley And Re-assess Where They Are Before Making A Final Committment.


[irving Refinery]
Oct25/07/4:21pm

Irving Oil Is Continuing Its Search For A Partner To Build A Second Oil Refinery In Saint John. General Manager Of Processing And Transportation, Gary Bishoff Tells Chsj News The Project Is Attracting A Lot Of Attention.

Bishoff Says He Hopes To Announce A Potential Partner Soon. In The Meantime, Irving Oil Is Also Working On Permits, And Engineering Studies.


[two Big Names In Lineup For Next Year’s Cruise Season]
Oct26/07 12:12pm

Just Days After This Year’s Cruise Ship Season Finished Up -- The Saint John Port Authority Has Announced There Are 82 Scheduled Calls Booked For 2008.
It Kicks Off On May.31st With A Return Visit Of The Bre-men Which Will Be The First Of 180,000 Passengers To Arrive In Saint John.

The Season Will Be High-lighted With A Visit From The Queen Mary Two And The Queen Elizabeth Two. Next Year Will Mark The Final Season For The Q.e.2. Because She Has Been Sold And Will Become A Floating Hotel In Dubai.
Next Years Cruise Season Will Also Mark A First When We Host Four Vessels On Sept.30th.

[kwajo]

Getting 180,000 cruise ship passengers will be a great season for Saint John. That would put us on equal terms with Halifax as a cruise destination (who got between 170-180,000 this year).

I hope this keep momentum going for improving and restoring Uptown. I know they are all just temporary visitors, but tourism projects like Harbour Passage have benefitted locals as much as anyone, and I'd love to see that kind of universally beneficial spending increase.

[Ottawa]

It isn't politics, it's a fact. I for one am very happy that the Halifax booster group AIMS isn't running the country...

N.B. is key player in Atlantic Gateway

Paul Zed
Commentary
Published Friday October 26th, 2007
Appeared on page A7

Saint John and New Brunswick are on the move with many new and exciting projects underway. There is a real sense of optimism about the future.

Recently, I participated in a steering committee convened by Mayor Norm McFarlane at City Hall to study the possibility of establishing a Southern New Brunswick Gateway Council. I believe strongly that if we are to fully capitalize on our opportunities we need to look at how we can best use our marine, road, rail, and air transportation infrastructure. We are uniquely positioned to harness our transportation assets to facilitate more efficient North American and global trade.

The creation of a Southern New Brunswick Gateway is one way that this could be accomplished.

I am pleased that the federal government has announced a $2.1 billion national trade gateway fund which builds on the concept that was developed by previous Liberal governments for Pacific and Atlantic Gateways. I am also pleased that the federal government has now signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the development of Canada's Atlantic Gateway with all Atlantic Canadian governments.

Against this backdrop of such positive news, it is irritating to read such ill-informed comments of Charles Cirtwill, President of the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies (AIMS) who stated that "New Brunswick is very much a secondary area" of a gateway and that Halifax is likely to be a central peg of a gateway worthy of millions in government funding. These types of comments are divisive and reflect a profound ignorance of New Brunswick and our historic trading relationships, and that of the other eastern provinces.

Let's look at the facts. New Brunswick has a very busy border crossing with the United States, a strong port with plenty of room to grow, an expanding airport and good rail connections. The Port of Saint John is one of Canada's most diverse marine gateways, and one of Canada's largest ports for cargo, even though it is currently underutilized. The Chair and Board of the Port Authority have shown important leadership by driving the establishment of a southern gateway concept. We are looking at increased bulk cargo, the opening of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, the expansion of potash, as well as in increase in the number of cruise ship arrivals.

Clearly, Cirtwill's comments in no way reflect the capabilities of our infrastructure in New Brunswick.

Southern New Brunswick and greater Saint John have the elements of an integrated transportation system necessary to be a prime partner in any gateway strategy. Further comments by Cirtwill that he sees "no pressing need for federal money for port or transportation infrastructure in Atlantic Canada right now" simply does not reflect the reality. Currently our port needs a major investment to upgrade the western docks in our harbour and this is the whole point of the gateway strategy; harnessing and improving our infrastructure assets to facilitate greater international trade. We also need to improve rail service and enhance competition to give shippers better and more choices.

While Cirtwill and AIMS may like to look at gateway funding as nothing more than a competition amongst regions for money, we look at it as an investment in our communities. Re-investment of our tax dollars into infrastructure helps us to move our community forward.

I agree with the Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Minister Peter MacKay who has made this clear by signing this agreement with all Atlantic Provinces. I applaud Mr. MacKay's comments that New Brunswick will play a major role in the Atlantic Gateway and that the gateway project encompasses the entire Atlantic region, not just Halifax.

It is a shame that an organization like AIMS that purports to be a catalyst for informed debate would make such uninformed comments. We will always win as a region by working together as a team.

This is what we have been doing in Saint John with the important work of Team Saint John.

Politicians of all levels and stripes need to stick together as this is about building a better self-sufficient economy in our region. The Atlantic Gateway has the potential to create more than 60,000 jobs for the region and could result in billions of dollars in economic growth over the next two decades. Labour, business and governments are coming together to understand that trade and immigration gateways are a part of our history, and a party of our future. Let's continue to work together to make this project a reality.

[Seely32]

more cruise ship news......

Port will have four cruise ships in one day

Telegraph-Journal
Published Saturday October 27th, 2007
Appeared on page B3
SAINT JOHN - According to the port authority, the number of visits by cruise ships to Saint John in 2008 will jump by 29 - a record year. Last year, 53 cruise ships anchored in the city.

Some 180,000 cruise ship passengers will visit in 2008.

Capt. Al Soppitt, president and CEO of the Saint John Port Authority, said they've come a long way since the first cruise ship tied up here in 1989.

"The investments we've made and continue to make into our cruise business is continuing to pay dividends for all of Saint John," Soppitt said in a press release.

Next year's season will begin with a visit on May 31 by the Hapag-Lloyd Line's Bremen and its 1,800 passengers. In 2008, Carnival Cruise Lines will mark its 10th anniversary of making port here.

Both the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Elizabeth 2 - her last year of cruising - will also be visiting. She has been sold and will become a floating hotel in Dubai at the end of the 2008 season.

The port will experience a rarity when it hosts four cruise ships on Sept. 30.

The schedule is out early this year and still subject to change.

[Seely32]

A Clean Start
Sewage: The long-awaited harbour cleanup project is underway - behind the scenes and in public view


John Mazerolle
Telegraph-Journal
Published Saturday October 27th, 2007
Appeared on page B1
SAINT JOHN - Like the harbour sewage it will one day eliminate, the City of Saint John's $80-million harbour cleanup project is not apparent much of the time, but it's there all the same.

Land expropriation, design work and an environmental impact assessment are well underway, along with the more obvious construction work taking place on the Red Head Road.

"I'm happy with the progress," said Paul Groody, commissioner of operations and engineering. "There's always a challenge when you take on a project this size. But our goal is still to have this completed by 2011."

The final piece of the necessary funding - $26.6 million from the federal government - was announced in March. Since then, the city has embarked on a five-year plan that was approved by common council in February.

The project, hailed by community leaders as the most important in the city's history, will see the collection and treatment of about 16 million litres of raw sewage a day - all of which currently flows directly into Saint John Harbour, contaminating the water and often filling the air with a fecal stench.

So far the only construction work is a sanitary forcemain being installed on the Red Head Road by Crandall Engineering. That pipe will eventually lead to the Eastern Wastewater Treatment Facility, which will collect and treat every drop of sewage that now hits the harbour.

The $46-million facility, which will be located off the Red Head Road near Hazen Creek, is currently going through an environmental impact assessment with the provincial Department of the Environment. Groody said the city is into the third round of questions and answers with officials.

"It will close within a month or two, that's what we're hoping," he said. "After that tenders will go out nationwide for the wastewater treatment facility. That's sort of the heart of the whole thing."

The plant will use so-called secondary level treatment. Primary treatment just sieves out any solvents, but secondary treatment uses biological agents to eat the contaminants and UV to treat the effluent before it's released. The construction is slated to take between 20 and 24 months, once ground is broken at the site.

The city's original cleanup plan spanned 10 years, but the timeline was reduced to seven years at the urging of Premier Shawn Graham. It was later cut down to five, at the suggestion of city staff.

Groody said that once the project is done the city's three treatment facilities - Eastern, Millidgeville and the Lancaster lagoon - will meet both current needs and future development.

And, for the long-term, the eastern facility will be built in a way that allows for "considerable extra capacity" if that ever becomes necessary, he said.

Next year is the most expensive in the five-year plan, with work happening on the treatment plant, on a major sewage pumping station near the Marco Polo bridge, and on another pump in the Spar Cove Road area. The Spar Cove work was supposed to happen in 2011, but the city moved its construction up because the natural gas company Brunswick Pipeline is drilling under the St. John River in the same area. It made more sense to do the work collaboratively, Groody said.

The move forced the city to reshuffle the construction order of some of the other pumps being installed throughout the city, but it didn't change the complete project's cost or the end date.

Designs are also being worked on now for pumping stations at Long Wharf and Bayside Drive.

The work so far is spread between three companies, but the work on the remaining pumping stations will all be completed by one company. A public call for the design and construction management of at least eight different locations will be advertised in the next few weeks.

"That will be a huge challenge for the industry out there and we look forward to going through that process," Groody said.

Citizens should begin noticing a difference once the wastewater treatment plant is completed, likely by the end of 2009. The lower end of Marsh Creek will run clear for the first time in recent history, and the "open sewer" near Bayside Middle School and Midland trucking will disappear.

"Once these things are done, sewage will stop flowing into those areas," Groody said.

In 2011, work will be completed on the final pumping stations at Riverview Drive, Gault Road and Indiantown, and untreated sewage will be a thing of the past in Saint John.

[michael_d40]

Originally Posted by Seely32

more cruise ship news......

Port will have four cruise ships in one day

Telegraph-Journal
Published Saturday October 27th, 2007
Appeared on page B3
SAINT JOHN - According to the port authority, the number of visits by cruise ships to Saint John in 2008 will jump by 29 - a record year. Last year, 53 cruise ships anchored in the city.

Some 180,000 cruise ship passengers will visit in 2008.

Capt. Al Soppitt, president and CEO of the Saint John Port Authority, said they've come a long way since the first cruise ship tied up here in 1989.

"The investments we've made and continue to make into our cruise business is continuing to pay dividends for all of Saint John," Soppitt said in a press release.

Next year's season will begin with a visit on May 31 by the Hapag-Lloyd Line's Bremen and its 1,800 passengers. In 2008, Carnival Cruise Lines will mark its 10th anniversary of making port here.

Both the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Elizabeth 2 - her last year of cruising - will also be visiting. She has been sold and will become a floating hotel in Dubai at the end of the 2008 season.

The port will experience a rarity when it hosts four cruise ships on Sept. 30.

The schedule is out early this year and still subject to change.

Were on a roll !!

[Seely32]

The cruise ship welcome center is going to help imensely. It seemed this year that every time a cruise ship was in it was beautiful out it looks like mother nature is trying to help us out some to.

The only thing that worries me is the soaring canadian dollar is closed at 1.039 yesterday. Hopefully that doesnt make american travelers a little more weery to travel. Even though most stores in the city still take american money at par pretty much.

The businesses on water street are being helped a ton by the industry and hopefully some more retail will open up down there and lead the keg to invest on that street.

[kwajo]

Originally Posted by Ottawa

It isn't politics, it's a fact. I for one am very happy that the Halifax booster group AIMS isn't running the country...

N.B. is key player in Atlantic Gateway

Paul Zed
Commentary
Published Friday October 26th, 2007
Appeared on page A7

Saint John and New Brunswick are on the move with many new and exciting projects underway. There is a real sense of optimism about the future.

Recently, I participated in a steering committee convened by Mayor Norm McFarlane at City Hall to study the possibility of establishing a Southern New Brunswick Gateway Council. I believe strongly that if we are to fully capitalize on our opportunities we need to look at how we can best use our marine, road, rail, and air transportation infrastructure. We are uniquely positioned to harness our transportation assets to facilitate more efficient North American and global trade.

The creation of a Southern New Brunswick Gateway is one way that this could be accomplished.

I am pleased that the federal government has announced a $2.1 billion national trade gateway fund which builds on the concept that was developed by previous Liberal governments for Pacific and Atlantic Gateways. I am also pleased that the federal government has now signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the development of Canada's Atlantic Gateway with all Atlantic Canadian governments.

Against this backdrop of such positive news, it is irritating to read such ill-informed comments of Charles Cirtwill, President of the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies (AIMS) who stated that "New Brunswick is very much a secondary area" of a gateway and that Halifax is likely to be a central peg of a gateway worthy of millions in government funding. These types of comments are divisive and reflect a profound ignorance of New Brunswick and our historic trading relationships, and that of the other eastern provinces.

Let's look at the facts. New Brunswick has a very busy border crossing with the United States, a strong port with plenty of room to grow, an expanding airport and good rail connections. The Port of Saint John is one of Canada's most diverse marine gateways, and one of Canada's largest ports for cargo, even though it is currently underutilized. The Chair and Board of the Port Authority have shown important leadership by driving the establishment of a southern gateway concept. We are looking at increased bulk cargo, the opening of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, the expansion of potash, as well as in increase in the number of cruise ship arrivals.

Clearly, Cirtwill's comments in no way reflect the capabilities of our infrastructure in New Brunswick.

Southern New Brunswick and greater Saint John have the elements of an integrated transportation system necessary to be a prime partner in any gateway strategy. Further comments by Cirtwill that he sees "no pressing need for federal money for port or transportation infrastructure in Atlantic Canada right now" simply does not reflect the reality. Currently our port needs a major investment to upgrade the western docks in our harbour and this is the whole point of the gateway strategy; harnessing and improving our infrastructure assets to facilitate greater international trade. We also need to improve rail service and enhance competition to give shippers better and more choices.

While Cirtwill and AIMS may like to look at gateway funding as nothing more than a competition amongst regions for money, we look at it as an investment in our communities. Re-investment of our tax dollars into infrastructure helps us to move our community forward.

I agree with the Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Minister Peter MacKay who has made this clear by signing this agreement with all Atlantic Provinces. I applaud Mr. MacKay's comments that New Brunswick will play a major role in the Atlantic Gateway and that the gateway project encompasses the entire Atlantic region, not just Halifax.

It is a shame that an organization like AIMS that purports to be a catalyst for informed debate would make such uninformed comments. We will always win as a region by working together as a team.

This is what we have been doing in Saint John with the important work of Team Saint John.

Politicians of all levels and stripes need to stick together as this is about building a better self-sufficient economy in our region. The Atlantic Gateway has the potential to create more than 60,000 jobs for the region and could result in billions of dollars in economic growth over the next two decades. Labour, business and governments are coming together to understand that trade and immigration gateways are a part of our history, and a party of our future. Let's continue to work together to make this project a reality.

Looks like Paul must have read my comment in this forum where I said I was "increasingly annoyed by everything that comes out of the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies," because he echoed my thoughts exactly

[Haliguy]

I think Saint John has a big role to play here, but there are reasons Nova Scotia will be the focal point in the beginning anyway. One of the reasons that Nova Scotia and particularly Halifax is seen as a focal point for the Atlantic Gateway is because of the deep-water ports as well as the infrastructure that is already in place to handle post panamax container ships. It is also closer to the trans Atlantic shipping lanes. Another reason is that the NS government has taken the lead on this and has made this an economic priority for the province for a few years now. Check the website:http://theatlanticgateway.ca

[GUB]

Encouraging to see Mr. Zed backing the Atlantic Gateway initiative. The question now, is can he actually make something happen for a change?--That I seriously doubt!

[Ottawa]

Originally Posted by Haliguy

I think Saint John has a big role to play here, but there are reasons Nova Scotia will be the focal point in the beginning anyway. One of the reasons that Nova Scotia and particularly Halifax is seen as a focal point for the Atlantic Gateway is because of the deep-water ports as well as the infrastructure that is already in place to handle post panamax container ships. It is also closer to the trans Atlantic shipping lanes. Another reason is that the NS government has taken the lead on this and has made this an economic priority for the province for a few years now. Check the website:http://theatlanticgateway.ca

I think everyone here would agree that Halifax's advantage is that it has the deepest harbour on the east coast of NA and that it has approximately one day shipping time advantage over NY/NJ for goods going through the Suez Canal, Mediterranean sea.

Seriously, that is about it for Halifax. After the products land in NS, the only way to market is through New Brunswick. And the shortest route to the US is through southern NB. Even the shortest routes to the rest of Canada go through southern NB and Maine. This is a very, very competitive marketplace and the US is throwing billions into infrastucture - not just in port facilities, but highways and railroads as well. Maine and northern New England will have to come to the table on this as well in order for this to succeed. I am hopeful this will succeed eventually but rail and road networks in this area are in need of some major investment if the potential for a major transshipment hub is to be realized.

Leave out the infrastructure to get the product to market and you're left with just making a political decision to throw more money at Halifax. That's what AIMS has been promoting lately and it won't work. It has to be a regional goal or it won't work.

[Ottawa]

Originally Posted by GUB

Encouraging to see Mr. Zed backing the Atlantic Gateway initiative. The question now, is can he actually make something happen for a change?--That I seriously doubt!

If the politicos in NS have their eye on the big picture, they will understand that this needs to be a regional initiative from day one. Every politician and every business person from NB, NS, Maine, etc. needs to be together on this because upgrades are needed almost everywhere. I think Peter Mackay understands that. But I don't think AIMS knows what's needed here. Due to geography, I would even say this needs to be an Atlantica initiative.

[Haliguy]

I don't think anybody said it is not a regional project. All the provinces must be involved, so maybe the NB government should take more of an interest in it and maybe Halifax should be an energy hub as well after all NS does have the gas resources.

[skyscraper_1]

The gateway is very important regional project. AIMS is very much aware of the fact the infrastructure upgrades from Halifax though Maine are needed, Imagine how much better Saint John would do if there was a road that cut through Maine directly to Montreal and Toronto. Although the "Gateway" itself will generate thousands of Jobs in Halifax, many thousands more throughout the region would be created in the spin-off.

Here is a proposal that is of GREAT interest to Saint John and the region as a whole

From the AIMS site

East-west toll road proposed for Maine

Bangor Daily News

Dated: 24/8/07


by Anne Ravanna

ORONO - The president and CEO of Cianbro Corp. on Tuesday unveiled a proposal for an east-west toll highway in Maine, his contribution to a series of discussions on how Maine can better align itself with Canada to pursue economic development.

A toll highway from Calais to Coburn Gore is the only solution to the pressing need for a better way to cross the state, Peter G. Vigue said. The highway would significantly reduce travel time, costs and fuel emissions for the 1,000 heavy American and Canadian trucks that travel through Calais daily and are banned from the interstate because of their weight.

"The largest investors in this state in the last 10 years are the Canadians. Let’s accept it, embrace it, understand it. We’re not competitors," Vigue said.

The notion of a taxpayer-funded east-west highway is not worth entertaining any longer as the state cannot afford to purchase the rights of way to cross private property, nor does it have the money to construct such a road, Vigue said. He has pitched the idea of a privately constructed and operated highway to a New York bank, which gave him "the thumbs up," Vigue said.

Before an attentive audience of 250 members of the local business community, Vigue delivered with authority his ideas in a speech titled "Why Not Maine?" The breakfast event was organized by the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce and the Action Committee of 50, another Bangor business association.

The morning consisted of Vigue’s talk, the unveiling of Access Atlantica — a renewed effort to form a business alliance between Bangor and Saint John, New Brunswick — and a panel discussion on truck weight limits on Maine’s interstate.

In his speech, Vigue announced that Cianbro secured at midnight Wednesday its first client for the modular building structure assembly facility it plans to construct in Brewer. The new business will take over the former Eastern Fine Paper Co. mill site and will employ at least 500 people, Vigue said.

"We’re still not allowed to communicate who our first customer is," Vigue said.

Immediately after Vigue’s address, Miles Theeman, CEO of Affiliated Healthcare Systems of Bangor, formally introduced Access Atlantica with his Canadian co-chairwoman, Nancy Thorne. Theeman and Thorne are volunteers who have given a new name to the long-term effort to create an "economic trade corridor" between the sister cities of Bangor and Saint John.

"We want to revamp our tourism image and make it regional. We talk about one vacation, two nations, but we share so much else [with Saint John] in terms of our goals for economic development, energy, transportation, Maritimes issues," Theeman said.

Access Atlantica is part of a larger movement called Atlantica, which is backed by 127 chambers of commerce and boards of trade in Maine and four other New England states, upstate New York, southeast Quebec and the four Canadian Atlantic provinces. Atlantica’s goal is to encourage trade and economic growth in all industries in the region.

Now what would be needed is a four lane highway from Saint John south to connect up to the toll highway and this is where the Atlantic Gateway funds should go.

[Ottawa]

Originally Posted by Haliguy

I don't think anybody said it is not a regional project. All the provinces must be involved, so maybe the NB government should take more of an interest in it and maybe Halifax should be an energy hub as well after all NS does have the gas resources.

1 - Then Charles Cirtwill should be much more careful about choosing his words.
Quote from Telegraph Journal, October 6th:

"New Brunswick is very much a secondary (area). That's the message that has to get out here,"

These kind of statements are harmful if you're trying to build a coalition to promote a 'regional' project.


2 - The energy hub is not about having natural gas off your shoreline. It is about providing long term, high volume, value added products to a burgeoning market. The gas is imported(not from Nova Scotia) on ships in a liquified state and regasified at the terminal before being put in the pipeline. It makes economic sense to have this product manufactured/located closest to the market where it will be consumed. In this case the ideal location would actually be in the US itself, but their regulatory agencies make that impossible economically. Halifax is 655 miles from Boston, Saint John is 400 miles. If you need to supply the most cost effective solution by having the closest location, hence the cheapest transportation/maintenance costs, Saint John is the clear choice. As for Halifax being the energy hub... I think you will have to agree with me that this is where Saint John has the advantage and I applaud the Irvings and the provincial government for jumping on this opportunity.

[Haliguy]

Originally Posted by Ottawa

1 - Then Charles Cirtwill should be much more careful about choosing his words.
Quote from Telegraph Journal, October 6th:

"New Brunswick is very much a secondary (area). That's the message that has to get out here,"

These kind of statements are harmful if you're trying to build a coalition to promote a 'regional' project.


2 - The energy hub is not about having natural gas off your shoreline. It is about providing long term, high volume, value added products to a burgeoning market. The gas is imported(not from Nova Scotia) on ships in a liquified state and regasified at the terminal before being put in the pipeline. It makes economic sense to have this product manufactured/located closest to the market where it will be consumed. In this case the ideal location would actually be in the US itself, but their regulatory agencies make that impossible economically. Halifax is 655 miles from Boston, Saint John is 400 miles. If you need to supply the most cost effective solution by having the closest location, hence the cheapest transportation/maintenance costs, Saint John is the clear choice. As for Halifax being the energy hub... I think you will have to agree with me that this is where Saint John has the advantage and I applaud the Irvings and the provincial government for jumping on this opportunity.

Keltic Petro chemical will be building a 5 billion dollar facility which will include a LNG facility in Goldsboro NS where the Maritimes Northeast pipeline begins. Construction is starting this spring. There is are plans for a huge natural gas storage caverns in near Stewiacke NS. Deep Panuke is sceduled to begin construction any time now which will be NS third offshore project. I think Saint John will be and should be an energy hub. I do however have a bit of a problem with Saint John self proclaiming itself as the energy hub of Atlantic Canada.

[Ottawa]

Originally Posted by skyscraper_1

The gateway is very important regional project. AIMS is very much aware of the fact the infrastructure upgrades from Halifax though Maine are needed, Imagine how much better Saint John would do if there was a road that cut through Maine directly to Montreal and Toronto. Although the "Gateway" itself will generate thousands of Jobs in Halifax, many thousands more throughout the region would be created in the spin-off.

Here is a proposal that is of GREAT interest to Saint John and the region as a whole

From the AIMS site


Now what would be needed is a four lane highway from Saint John south to connect up to the toll highway and this is where the Atlantic Gateway funds should go.

Agreed. I have driven from Coburn Gore through to St. Stephen many times. It is a twisty, turning two lane road for most of the way. Even so, it is more time efficient than taking the TCH through Quebec and northern NB. But I often have opted to go through Quebec just because it is so much easier to drive on smooth, straight, four lane highways(most of the way).
I am a big fan of the proposed east-west highway in Maine, but alas, we do rely on our American cousins to fix this situation. A toll road would be well worth it and would put Saint John(and everyone else) a few hours closer to Montreal.

[Ottawa]

Originally Posted by Haliguy

Keltic Petro chemical will be building a 5 billion dollar facility which will include a LNG facility in Goldsboro NS where the Maritimes Northeast pipeline begins. Construction is starting this spring. There is are plans for a huge natural gas storage caverns in near Stewiacke NS. Deep Panuke is sceduled to begin construction any time now which will be NS third offshore project. I think Saint John will be and should be an energy hub. I do however have a bit of a problem with Saint John self proclaiming itself as the energy hub of Atlantic Canada.

Would you rather we just call it 'Calgary East'?

[Haliguy]

Originally Posted by Ottawa

Would you rather we just call it 'Calgary East'?

lol...now that's a bit of a stretch of the imagination...lol