Good Morning, Saint John! Quick shoutout to Steve D. who emailed after yesterday’s issue wondering where our Terry Fox story went…great question, because it turns out it didn’t. We teased it and then promptly left it behind. That one’s on us, but we’ve fixed it! We’ve got it in today’s news notes.
Here’s what else is going on today:
Rethinking rent rules 🏠
What you want from candidates 🗳️
Get fit uptown 👟
Let’s get it!
-Geoff Walsh, Publisher
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NEWS NOTES
🔑 Province wants your say on renting
Renters and landlords, this one’s for you. The province is finally taking a hard look at New Brunswick’s Residential Tenancies Act, a law that’s been around since the 1970s and hasn’t kept up with today’s rental reality. With more people renting and costs climbing, officials say there are gaps and outdated rules that need fixing. They’ve launched a quick 4–5 minute survey to gather input before bringing changes to the Legislature next fall. If you’ve ever had a lease issue, a rent hike question, or just thoughts on how things should work, this is your shot to weigh in.
🌟 Imperial Theatre up for national award
Big stage, big company. Imperial Theatre is heading into some serious competition after landing a nomination for “Best Teamwork in a Soft Seat Theatre” at the Live Music Awards this May. They’re up against heavy hitters like Massey Hall and the National Arts Centre, which gives you a sense of the league they’re playing in. Winners get announced May 6 in Toronto, but honestly, just being in that lineup is a bit of a moment for our beloved theatre!
🇨🇦 New Terry Fox merch drops
Have you seen the new Terry Fox Foundation line popping up on social? They’ve leaned into Terry as the rock star he was, with a concert-style drop that lists the communities from his Marathon of Hope like tour stops. Big Canadian names like Bryan Adams, Sarah McLachlan, Michael Bublé and Barenaked Ladies are backing it too, which gives the whole thing a legit national tour feel.
It also doubles as the kickoff…registration for this year’s Terry Fox Run just opened, so expect to start seeing this gear around as we head toward September.
💬 THE RESULTS
What You Want From Candidates
We asked what you actually want to hear about from candidates ahead of this fall’s municipal election…and the message came through pretty clearly.
Here’s where things landed:
🏠 Housing & affordability led the way with 37%
💰 Taxes & spending followed at 26%
🏗️ Growth & development came in at 16%
🤷 Something else on your mind 21%
But the real story was in the comments…and there’s a pretty consistent theme running through them:
“Very concerned about the implementation of a rural plan…taxes increasing to fund projects out of our area is frustrating.”
“Safety in our uptown area and decreased theft from local businesses.”
“What does each candidate plan to do to address the rising number of incidents of crime in our communities?”
“I would like to see a clear plan concerning preservation of green spaces…a sense someone at City Hall cares about our environment.”
“I would like each candidate to say what he or she would actually DO…especially housing and homelessness.”
“Arts and Culture! Do you see arts and culture funding as an expense or an investment?”
“Upkeep, improvements, & usages of public spaces like Rockwood, trails, and parks…we have beautiful spaces that could use some love.”
So while housing tops the list, it’s not happening in a vacuum. Readers are also thinking about safety, how tax dollars are being spent, the state of public spaces, and yes, how we invest in arts, culture, and community life.
We’ll be keeping all of this in mind as we send questions out to candidates this week. You’ll see those responses side by side soon, so you can actually compare where each person stands.
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
LOCAL BUSINESS
🏋️ A new kind of gym is coming Uptown
There’s a new fitness spot getting ready to open in Market Square, and if you’ve ever felt even a little intimidated walking into a gym, this one might be for you.
Mariah Belyea is opening Lume Fitness next month, after moving back to Saint John and realizing something was missing Uptown. “None of them quite felt like the experience I was looking for,” she said. “That’s when it clicked, why not create the kind of space I’ve been craving?”
Lume is built around small, coach-led classes of about 12 people, more like a guided session than figuring things out on your own. “You don’t need to know what you’re doing, you just show up and we guide you through it,” she said.
It’s meant to feel welcoming from the start, whether you’re brand new or have been training for years, with a focus on actually enjoying the process, not just getting through it.
Doors are expected to open in May.
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LifeDirt’s biweekly produce boxes are packed with a mix of local fruits and vegetables, with delivery or pickup available right here in Saint John. Sign up once and your groceries are taken care of, no extra planning required. You’ll save time, support local farmers, and keep fresh food coming through the door.
Use code SJTODAY for $10 off your first subscription box before April 30.
EVENTS
What’s Happenin’
🎭 Theatre Talk Tuesday
Legally Blonde The Musical | April 14-18
Elle Woods hits the stage at KV High in a high-energy, pink-powered take on the crowd favourite. It’s the story you know…fashion, law school, proving people wrong, with big musical numbers and a cast that’s clearly going to have fun with it. Matinee and evening performances are scheduled.
Ten Thousand Hours | April 15
Imperial Theatre hosts Ten Thousand Hours on Wednesday at 7:30pm, bringing eight world-class acrobats to the stage for a show that looks at the grind, discipline, and physical mastery behind elite performance. Tickets range from $25 for youth to $60 for adults. Expect high-level movement, big skill, and the kind of body control that may inspire viewers to sit up straighter for at least 20 minutes.
Stand-Up Comedy at Five and Dime | April 17
Tim Kraft headlines a night of stand-up at Five and Dime on Friday, with guest performer Cive Lucas also on the bill. Doors open at 7:30pm, the show starts at 8pm, and tickets are $20 on Eventbrite. Nice little Friday plan for anyone who would rather laugh in public than doomscroll at home.
Proximity | April 18
Steamers Lobster Co. is hosting a live music night Saturday from 7pm to 10pm featuring Doug Boyer, Becky Reesor, Dave Phillips, John Pottle, and Terry Hatty. The event promises a fun and unusual night, which is the kind of wording that tends to make us perk up and get tickets. Good pick for anyone in the mood for live local music and a different kind of Saturday outing.
The Master Builder | April 21-26
The BMO Studio Theatre hosts a sharp, unsettling take on Ibsen’s The Master Builder, a story that feels a little too current in all the right ways. It follows an aging architect clinging to power as a younger woman pushes into his world and forces everything into the open. Expect a tense, character-driven drama led by Canadian stage veteran R.H. Thomson. Shows run at 2pm and 7:30pm, with an Industry Night on April 22 offering $25 tickets and a post-show talkback.
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
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SIDE NOTES
🌅 6:40am | 🌇 8:09pm
Today’s Tides 🌊
Low Tide | 3:56 AM(Tue 14 April) | 1.72 m(5.64 ft) |
High Tide | 10:03 AM(Tue 14 April) | 7.35 m(24.12 ft) |
Low Tide | 4:20 PM(Tue 14 April) | 1.41 m(4.61 ft) |
High Tide | 10:27 PM(Tue 14 April) | 7.49 m(24.57 ft) |
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Thanks!
Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who can be a little forgetful from time to time 🙋.
-Geoff Walsh - Publisher