💰Are NBers Earning Enough?

Good morning Saint John! It’s Wednesday…the day that reminds you there’s just a couple more cups of coffee between you and the sweet, sweet freedom that is the weekend!

Here’s what we’ve got this morning:

• Living wage? Most NB workers don’t make it 🧾

• City to drivers: Let’s go in circles 🚧

• Your Canada Day game plan 🇨🇦

Enjoy the day!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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NEWS NOTES

💸 Most NB Workers Still Under the Living Wage

Ever feel like your paycheque disappears the second it lands? You’re not alone. A new snapshot from Saint John’s Human Development Council shows that 45% of NB employees earned less than $24.62/hr, the provincial living wage in 2024. That’s nearly half the workforce earning below what’s needed for a decent standard of living.

The numbers bust a common myth too: most low-wage workers aren’t students in part-time gigs. They’re adults working full-time, often in permanent roles.

It’s a stark picture of wage adequacy in NB, especially for women, who make up over half of low-wage earners.

🔄 Another Roundabout? We’re Just Getting Started

If it feels like Saint John’s traffic plan is just one big circle…well, you’re not wrong. A new roundabout is coming to Sandy Point Road and Foster Thurston Drive, with construction kicking off in late July and spinning through October.

It’s all part of MoveSJ’s big-picture plan to make several local intersections safer and smoother (and maybe give us all a bit more practice with yielding). Expect new sidewalks, street lights, and the usual construction delays, though one lane will stay open during peak hours.

Curious about how it’ll all work? Or just want to share your strong roundabout opinions? There’s a drop-in info session this Thursday, June 26, from 3–7pm at Hazen White-St. Francis School (538 Sandy Point Rd).

⚠️ That Government Text? It Might Be AI Trying to Rob You

Regardless of your political opinions, if the Prime Minister calls asking for your banking info… you should probably just hang up. Although it seems like a silly situation, cyber officials are warning Canadians about a new wave of scams where crooks use AI-generated voices and fake messages to impersonate high-profile officials…and yeah, they’re getting creepily convincing.

These scammers are sliding into inboxes and phones pretending to be public figures, urging “urgent” financial action or pushing shady links. Some even mimic real voices using AI (hello, robo-politician).

Officials say: don’t trust display names, don’t click weird links, and if something feels off, verify it the old-school way.

In other words, if a voice on the line sounds like Rick Mercer but asks you to wire Bitcoin, we recommend hanging up and maybe going for a walk.

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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’

🇨🇦 Canada Day 2025: What’s On Around the Region
Canada Day’s coming up fast and there’s a lot going on! From waterfront fireworks to foam pits, pirates, and magic shows to music bingo and awesome performances, we’ve rounded up all the best ways to celebrate around the region. Scroll on, make a plan, and maybe throw a red shirt in the wash.

🛳️ Saint John | Waterfront Festival & Fireworks
12–10pm | Ihtoli-Maqahamok + Container Village
In partnership with AREA 506, the city is throwing a waterfront bash with two full stages, a circus school, live bands, bingo, magic, and a massive fireworks finale.

🔊 Ihtoli-Maqahamok – The Gathering Space (Boardwalk Stage)
• 12–1:30pm: Ethnocultural performances, official opening, cake cutting at 1pm
• 2pm: Catherine Kennedy
• 3:30pm: Dram & a Draw
• 5pm: The Last Call
• 6:30pm: Artificially Hip
• 8:30pm: Slowcoaster
(DJ music between sets)

🎸 Container Village (Main Stage & Activities)
• 1pm & 4pm: Nathaniel Rankin, Canadian Champion of Magic
• 2–4pm: Canadian Music Bingo with prizes
• 5pm: Everything Under the Sun (High School Battle of the Bands winners)
• 6pm: Justine Richardson
• 7–9pm: Oreo Jones Band
• 9–10pm: Dr. Frankenband

🎪 Around the Village
• 12–2pm: Princess & Superhero Photo Ops
• 1–4pm: Circus School
• 2–4pm: Walkaround magic
• 4–4:30pm: Aerial circus show

🎆 Fireworks at Long Wharf | 10pm (weather permitting)

🏴‍☠️ Quispamsis | Pirate Party in the Park
11am–3pm | Arts & Culture Park (12 Landing Court)
Get your pirate gear ready…Quispamsis is leaning hard into the swashbuckling spirit this year.

• Giant inflatables, foam pit, axe throwing
• Live music: Before the Mast, Theresa Malenfant Band, Artificially Hip
• Carnival games, prizes, BBQ, treats
• $5 public swim at the qplex (12–2pm, 2:15–4:15pm, 4:30–6:30pm)
• KV Food Basket donations welcome
• Rain location: Quispamsis Memorial Arena

🎈 Rothesay | Cupcakes, Castles & Circus Fun
12–3pm | Rothesay Common
A family-friendly, high-energy afternoon with something for every kid…and kid at heart.

• 12pm: Flag-raising ceremony
• Live music by Alison Dawn Voice & Music Students
• Balloon art from Mr. Zapz, face painting by Cathie Wilson
• Big bubble show with Benny Bubblz
• Circus jam from Petite Luna & Sol
• Inflatables, lawn games, popcorn, cotton candy, cupcakes
• Ice cream by the Legion, BBQ by the Kennebecasis Paddling Centre
• Bring a food bank donation!
• Rain location: Rothesay Arena (65 Hampton Rd)
• Renforth Beach open 11am–5pm with lifeguards on duty

🎆 Grand Bay-Westfield | Daytime Festivities + Night-Before Fireworks
June 30 – Fireworks Pre-Party
10pm | Westfield Wharf (by Brundage Point River Centre)
Best viewing from Brundage Point. Ferries paused during the show.
No parking or boat access at Brundage Point after 9pm.

July 1 – Day Celebration
11am–1pm | River Valley Community Centre (749 River Valley Drive)

• Music: Solid Gold + 4 Amigos
• Bingo, bouncy castle, obstacle course
• Face painting, temporary tattoos, BBQ, treats, photo booth
• Public Safety education trailer & Conservation Officers
• Donations accepted: Food or eyeglasses for Lions Club
• Parking: River Valley Middle School (33 Epworth Park Rd)
• Rain or shine

🎡 Hampton | All-Day Action + Fireworks
9am–dusk | Across town
A full-town takeover with activities running morning to night.

🍳 Morning
• 9am–12pm: Firefighters' Breakfast (Fire Station)

🎪 Midday Fun (11am–3pm)
Field House (808 Main St)

• Bouncy castles, family games, face painting
• Crafts with H.A.L.L., popcorn, snow cones
• Magic & balloon show by Zap (1pm)
• Food trucks: East Coast Donairs & Sylvia’s Country Kitchen

Town Square (657 Main St)
• 11am: Opening Ceremony
• Vendor Market until 2pm
• Live music:
• 11am–1:15pm: Jacob Chevarie & Holly Campbell
• 1:15–2:30pm: Zack Ingles & Co.

Around Town
• Laser tag @ Hampton Middle School
• Book Sale @ Hampton Library
• Train rides @ 424 Centennial Rd

🎆 Fireworks at dusk | Behind Hampton Middle School
Grab your chair, hoodie, and bug spray!

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LOCAL PICS
WHERE ARE WE? 📸

Watch this spot each Wednesday for a random snap from somewhere in the Saint John Region. Where are we? Only true locals will know the answer. This one might be a little tricky, but if you think you know where a vintage Pepsi sign hangs in the city, hit reply and give it your best guess! We’ll reveal the location and correct guesses in Friday’s issue.

Tag @sjtoday.ca on Facebook to get your photos featured!

SIDE NOTES

Today’s Tides 🌊 

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Thanks!

Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with a barista that makes a mean cup of joe ☕️.

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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