Listen to Tantramar Report for the following stories:
Significant minimum wage hikes coming next year
Premier Blaine Higgs has announced a plan to increase New Brunswick’s minimum wage by $2 over the course of 2022. The first raise of one dollar, from $11.75 to $12.75, will happen in April, about four months from now. Then six months after that, in October 2022, the minimum wage will go up by another dollar, to $13.75. Currently, New Brunswick has the lowest minimum wage in Canada. For more, listen to Tantramar Report or read the web story.
More on the Bridge Street closure next week
The demolition of the Henderson Buidling at 3 Bridge Street next week will directly impact three businesses on the street, who will lose street access for one to two days. On Tantramar Report, we talk with town of Sackville senior manager Kieran Miller about the plans for the Bridge Street closure and the expected impacts for pedestrians, drivers, and local businesses.
Mt A returns to 100% capacity in classrooms
Mount Allison has announced its plans for January, and they include a return to pre-pandemic capacity in the university’s classrooms. This past term, the university had a 1-metre distancing requirement in classrooms, still below the typical 2-metre recommendation in most public places. The distancing requirement is being removed, “in accordance with high vaccination rates on campus, frequent facility cleaning, and increased ventilation measures across campus,” says the University in a campus update.
Mount Allison will continue to require masks in all indoor spaces on campus, in line with provincial regulations. The university made vaccinations mandatory for staff and students in October, with some exceptions for people who are required to be tested twice per week.
The university is also participating in the distribution of rapid test kits, with kits available for the Mount Allison community at both the Wellness Centre and the MASU Office during regular office hours, until December 18.
Snack Shop reinvented on Bridge Street
Tonight is Moonlight Madness, which includes fireworks starting around 6pm behind Town Hall, as well as wagon rides, and additional vendors on the streets downtown tonight. A new Bridge Street business has opened up just in time for the festivities. On Tantramar Report, we hear from Mary Ann Oster, former employee of the Snack Shop on York Street, and new owner of the Bridge Street Snack Shop, which opened up beside Quality Grocery on Thursday. Read the web story here.
Students in unique Mi’kmaq-Maliseet social work program aim to educate, inform, and inspire action
Tantramar Report visits the Social Action Fair which took place on Wednesday in Sackville, and talks with one group of students about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. We also talk with Sandra Germain, coordinator for the Mi’kmaq-Maliseet Social Work program at St Thomas University, whose students and professors spend a week each month in Sackville. The program is designed for students living and working in their own communities, and with an Indigenous perspective.
To hear more from the Social Action Fair, check out this week’s edition of CHMA Talks, featuring more voices from the Mi’kmaq-Maliseet Social Work program talking about Indigenous stereotypes, mental health, suicide awareness, and harm reduction.
Upcoming events TONIGHT:
Moonlight Madness comes back tomorrow night for its second day, this time with fireworks starting at 6pm behind town hall. There will also be vendors on downtown streets, wagon rides, hot chocolate and specials in local businesses.
The Struts Gallery Annual Holiday Members’ Show & Sale opens on Friday with an opening reception starting at 6pm at the Lorne Street gallery, where hot apple cider will be on offer outside. The show promises the work of Struts members near and far, and afterwards patrons are invited around the corner to the Black Duck, where Angela Thibodeau will be exhibiting recent works. Proof of vaccination and masks are mandatory.
The Mount Allison Symphonic Band presents “Where We Are Now,” a program of recent works that have gained traction in the band world. Directed by Prof. James Kalyn with guest conductor Greg Burton. Admission is free at Convocation Hall, December 3, 2021, 7:30pm.
Local Carson Rafuse is directing a production of Henry’s Law tonight and tomorrow at the Motyer-Fancy Theatre in the Purdy Crawford Arts Centre. The play, by Stacie Letts, is a “not so classic story of boy meets girl, full of humour, love, and drama.” The play deals with cyberbullying, homophobia, and suicide, and the cast will host a discussion on those issues after the play. Tickets are $3 for student and seniors, and $5 for everyone else. Reservations can be made with motyerfancytheatre@mta.ca
Upcoming events THIS WEEKEND:
A Mount Allison student flea market is taking place on Saturday, December 4 from 10am to 3pm at Tweedie Hall, in the student centre on York Street. The market will feature arts and crafts, second hand items, and handmade items.
The Sackville Fire Department is bringing back the annual parade of lights event that was cancelled last year due to the pandemic. On Saturday, December 4th, starting at 6pm, emergency services vehicles bedecked in Christmas lights and sounding their sirens will make the rounds through town. A map of the route is available here.
The Mount Allison Choral Society and Elliott Chorale present “Music for a Winter’s Night”. Join the Mount A choirs for an afternoon of music to welcome the winter season. Directed by Dr. Kiera Galway. Admission is free but there is limited capacity, in the Mount Allison University Chapel on Sunday December 5 at 3pm.